Saints set to clash with Clermont Auvergne again
The black, green and gold have squared up to Clermont three times during the past four seasons.
Saints lost 37-5 in the Champions Cup quarter-final at Stade Marcel Michelin in April 2015.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThey then met Clermont in last season's Champions Cup pool stages, suffering a 26-7 defeat in France before springing a surprise at Franklin's Gardens, where they won 34-21.
And the two clubs will now come face to face once again as they are placed in a pool alongside the Dragons and Romanian side Timisoara Saracens.
Saints will be facing the Dragons during pre-season as they travel to Newport for a friendly at Rodney Parade on August 17.
The two clubs met in competitive action last season, with Saints earning a 41-7 Anglo-Welsh Cup win at the Gardens back in November.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSaints have never faced Timisoara Saracens, who reached the penultimate stage of last season’s Continental Shield.
Challenge Cup draw
Pool 1: Saints, Clermont Auvergne, Dragons, Timisoara Saracens
Pool 2: Pau, Ospreys, Worcester Warriors, Stade Français
Pool 3: Sale Sharks, Connacht, Bordeaux-Begles, Perpignan
Pool 4: La Rochelle, Zebre, Bristol Bears, Enisei-STM
Pool 5: Benetton Rugby, Harlequins, Agen, Grenoble