NEWCASTLE Falcons will meet three continental opponents in the group stages of next season's European Challenge Cup.

The Falcons will take on Montauban and Albi of France, and Italian side Petrarca, as they attempt to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition for the fourth season in a row.

Newcastle met both Petrarca and Montauban in the 2006-07 competition, but their game with Albi will be the first between the two clubs.

Next season's tournament will have the same structure as last season's competition, with the five group winners joining the three best runners-up in the quarter-finals.

Falcons director of rugby Steve Bates said: "We will be hoping to build on last year's campaign, which saw us reach the quarter-final stages.

"We will know a fair bit about Petrarca with our assistant coach Stuart Grimes having played for them the year before last, and then two games against French opposition in Albi and Montauban will, I am sure, provide a stern test."

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