With the European Rugby Challenge Cup fixtures being announced last week, we take a look at the some of the eye-catching fixtures that will be taking place in Round 1. With as many as 12 European titles among the contenders, the Challenge Cup is set for another strong season and the road to the final on Friday, May 10 in Newcastle promises to be a superb one. Perpignan v Sale Sharks Perpignan make a welcome return to the Challenge Cup this season after four years in France’s Pro D2. They get the competition underway in Pool 3 on October 12, when they host two-time Challenge Cup winners Sale Sharks, who boast a key signing in full-back Chris Ashton after his departure from RC Toulon during the summer. Perpignan have also made several international additions, including Samoa hooker Manu Leiataua, prop Eric Sione and Fiji utility-back Eroni Sau. Northampton Saints v ASM Clermont Auvergne Two teams with plenty of European Rugby pedigree, Northampton Saints and ASM Clermont Auvergne clash in the opening round of fixtures in this season’s Challenge Cup in Pool 1 on October 13 at Franklin’s Gardens. Northampton won the European Cup back in 2000 after a 9-8 final victory over Munster Rugby at Twickenham, while the French side have been runners-up on three occasions – 2013, 2015 and 2017. Both teams have also lifted the Challenge Cup on two occasions, Northampton in 2009 and 2014, and ASM Clermont Auvergne in 1999 and 2007. https://twitter.com/SaintsRugby/status/1030408795841851392 Bristol Bears v Zebre Rugby Bristol Bears make an instant return to the Challenge Cup in Pool 4 after a one-year absence following their promotion to the English Premiership. Pat Lam’s side open their campaign on October 13 against Zebre Rugby, who have re-signed Italy full-back Edoardo Padovani after his short spell at RC Toulon. Bristol reached the Challenge Cup semi-finals in 2000 before being beaten 51-27 by Pau, while Zebre are yet to make it past the Pool stages of either European competition. Stade Français Paris v Worcester Warriors 2017 Challenge Cup winners Stade Français Paris round off the opening set of fixtures in the Challenge Cup on October 13, when they host Worcester Warriors in Pool 2 at Stade Jean-Bouin. The French side have plenty of talent at their disposal on and off the pitch, with former South Africa head coach Heyneke Meyer taking the reins in the French capital. He is joined by two-time European Cup winner Paul O’Connell, who has been appointed forwards coach at Stade. Worcester have also recruited well during the off-season, with Scotland back-row Cornell du Preez and fly-half Duncan Weir both moving to Sixways from Edinburgh Rugby.