European Champions Cup: Scarlets bid starts against Sale Sharks

Scarlets captain Ken Owns takes on Racing 92 during the 2015-16 Champions Cup

Scarlets will open their European Champions Cup campaign against Sale Sharks at home on Saturday, 15 October.

Coach Wayne Pivac's team then face reigning champions Saracens away on 22 October.

And things don't get any easier in Pool three with back-to back matches against three-time winners Toulon on 11 and 18 December.

The west Wales region are the only Welsh team to have qualified for the 2016-17 tournament.

Cardiff Blues, Ospreys and Newport Gwent Dragons are all competing in the European Challenge Cup

Scarlets fixtures: Saturday, Oct 15: Sale (H, 19.45 BST); Saturday, Oct 22: Saracens (A, 17:30 BST); Sunday, Dec 11: Toulon (A, 15.15 GMT); Sunday, Dec 18: Toulon (H, 13:00 GMT).

Challenge Cup fixtures

Cardiff Blues: Friday, Oct 14: Bristol (A, 19:45 BST); Friday, Oct 21: Pau (H, 19.15 BST); Saturday, Dec 10: Bath (H, 14.30 GMT), Thursday, Dec 15: Bath (A, 19.45 GMT).

Ospreys: Friday, Oct 14: Newcastle (H, 19.30 BST); Saturday, Oct 22: Lyon (A, 19:45 BST); Thursday, Dec 8: Grenoble (A, 19:45 GMT); Saturday, Dec 17: Grenoble (H, 15:00 GMT)

Newport Gwent Dragons: Friday, Oct 14: Brive (H, 19:30 BST); Saturday, Oct 22: Enisei-STM (A, TBC); Saturday, Dec 10: Worcester (A, 15:00 GMT); Friday, Dec 16: Worcester (H, 19:30 GMT)

The dates for the fixtures in the New Year will be confirmed following the conclusion of the first four rounds of games.