Challenge Cup:Connacht coach Michael Bradley is confident his team can reach the knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup despite being drawn in a tough pool.

Connacht will have to overcome the former Heineken European Cup champions Brive and Jonny Wilkinson's Newcastle Falcons (who recently added the All-Blacks prop Carl Hayman to their ranks) if they are to make the quarter-finals having missed out this year for the first time in five seasons.

The pool is completed by the Spanish champions, Cetransa El Salvador.

The five pool winners will advance, as will the three best runners-up.

"It is a tough pool but I think we have every chance of making it through," said Bradley, whose side failed last season to come through a tough pool that included NEC Harlequins, Bath and Montpellier.

"We are familiar with Newcastle, having played them over a year ago, while we have traditionally fared well against French sides in this competition.

"We have put together a strong squad for next year and it is well within our range to emerge from this pool," added Bradley.

Connacht will be able to get an insight into two of their opponents from new signings, outhalf Tim Donnelly joining from Brive and Mike McCarthy returning from Newcastle.

"The match in Spain will be a trip into the unknown but we will not be taking any chances," said Bradley.

Match tickets for the pre-season game between Connacht and South Africa at the Sportsground in August go on sale from next Monday.

Adult tickets cost €30 and children's are €10 for the game, which will take place on Tuesday, August 21st.

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP - Pool Three: Connacht, Brive, Newcastle Falcons, Cetransa El Salvador.