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Leeds Carnegie were handed a tough draw for next season's European Challenge Cup when they were grouped with this year's losing finalists Bourgoin.

Newly-promoted Leeds will also play Italian side Parma and Romanian outfit Bucuresti Oaks in Pool 1 in the second-tier European competition.

"We are thrilled with the draw especially as it gives us a chance to take on someone who was a great servant for Leeds, Alberto Di Bernardo, at his new club in Bourgoin," said Leeds head coach Neil Back (pictured).

"We knew we would always have a big team in our pool as the second seeds but it does not come much tougher than taking on the runners up from the previous season."

Leeds' Guinness Premiership rivals Saracens have arguably a tougher group and have been drawn French clubs Toulon and Castres, as well as Italian side Rovigo.

The London club will come across a number of English players who have crossed the Channel to join Toulon, including World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson and his former Newcastle team-mate Tom May.

Saracens will also face former servant and flanker Kris Chesney, along with former Bristol skipper Joe El Abd.

Twice Heineken Cup champions Wasps - and arguably the tournament favourites - will need to beat Bayonne if they are to progress from Pool 4, while Worcester have been drawn in Pool 2 with Connacht.

Newcastle will look to maintain their improved form from last season when they take on Montauban, Petrarca and Albi in Pool 5.

2009-10 European Challenge Cup draw

Pool 1: Bourgoin, Leeds, Parma, Bucuresti Oaks

Pool 2: Worcester, Connacht, Montpellier, Madrid

Pool 3: Saracens, Castres, Toulon, Rovigo

Pool 4: Wasps, Calvisano, Bayonne, Racing Metro

Pool 5: Newcastle, Montauban, Petrarca, Albi

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport