Melrose will travel south to take on London Scottish in British & Irish Cup

The promotion of the English club into the RFU Championship created the potential for a match-up with a Scottish side and it has presented Simon Amor's team with a game against the new Scottish champions.

He told The Scotsman: "It's fantastic for London Scottish and a great opportunity for both clubs. We were delighted to be hosting Ayr for a pre-season game in August and to get the opportunity to host Melrose in the British & Irish Cup is just great.

"Obviously, our priority this season is trying to compete in what will be a tough Championship with a lot of very strong teams, but we're ambitious and want to win things so we'll be fielding a strong team in the B&I Cup."

Mike Dalgetty, Melrose RFC president, was similarly excited by the draw. He said: "I think it is wonderful. It's extremely challenging and they will be really tough fixtures, but from the players and club's point of view it's an exciting opportunity.

"We are in this to reach levels that we haven't played at before and to have a chance to go to Scottish will be another new experience, but a great meeting for two great clubs."

The tournament will this year feature four games each, rather than five as in the past, and kick off earlier which may help to avoid the difficulties posed by last year's winter weather.

Melrose face Bedford at home first-up, then Leinster away, Aberavon at home and London Scottish away, while Ayr start away to Plymouth, then host Cross Keys, travel to Munster and return to Millbrae to welcome Bristol. Currie start with a big test at Leeds, newly-relegated from the Premiership, then host Ulster, head to Swansea and finish at home to Nottingham.

Ayr coach Kenny Murray said: "It is a fantastic challenge against four quality sides, three of whom we have never played before.

"It is tougher than past seasons but I can't wait to play such a well-known side as Munster and have another go at Bristol but on our home soil."

Currie, looking for pre-season warm-ups after losing fixtures with Blaydon and Tynedale, are excited by their draw. Coach Ally Donaldson said: "Facing Leeds away first is a big challenge but it's a great place to play and a great match to look forward to. We had a very tough draw last season, but I think we'll go into it this time knowing that we can compete and believing that we can win games. It's really exciting."

Meanwhile, London Scottish will open their Championship campaign with a home game against Rotherham Titans on 3 September.

British & Irish Cup fixtures

21 September: London Scottish v London Welsh.

12 October: Esher v London Scottish

12 November: Plymouth v Ayr, Melrose v Bedford, Llanelli v London Scottish, Leeds Carnegie v Currie.

19 November: Ayr v Cross Keys, Aberavon v Llanelli, Leinster v Melrose, Currie v Ulster, Pontypridd v Swansea

10 December: Munster v Ayr, Melrose v Aberavon, Swansea v Currie

17 December: Ayr v Bristol, London Scottish v Melrose, Currie v Nottingham.

21 January: quarter-finals.

7 April: semi-finals.

28 April: final.