Dai Young is excited by the make-up of Cardiff Rugby’s opponents in this year’s Challenge Cup pool stage.
Following the draw today, The Blue and Blacks will be up against Newcastle Falcons and former Heineken Cup champions Brive in Pool A.
Young’s side will be chasing a third Challenge Cup trophy, with the road to Dublin set to kick off in December.
And while Young has enjoyed a number of battles against the Geordie outfits during his time with both Cardiff and Wasps, he is also excited to take on a new challenge in the form of French giants, Brive.
The director of rugby said: “I have always enjoyed Newcastle. They have a decent crowd, a good atmosphere and club.
“It is always a difficult place to go and they are a difficult team to beat but we can have a bit of confidence that if we play to our best, we can win.
“They play a good style and have changed their set-up with Dave Walder taking the reins from Dean Richards.
“Brive are a team I have never played or coached against. The club played them when I was here but I wasn’t involved.
“On a personal level it will be a nice one as I am good friends with Jeremy Davidson and we recently spent two days in each other’s company at a 1997 Lions reunion. It was good to catch up and talk a bit about coaching as well.
“Traditionally they are a big club and there’s some history with Cardiff. They won the last game of the season, away from home to stay in the Top14 and I know they are looking to strengthen.
“They typically have a big forward pack, are physical and have some big ball carriers.”