Scottish champions Edinburgh Eagles have been drawn to face Gloucestershire University in the first round of this season's Challenge Cup.

Eagles face a seven-hour journey to play the tie on January 24 but are happy to avoid having to play in the preliminary play-offs.

The team reached the second round of the competition last season - the first Scottish team to do so - after beating the Royal Air Force 18-16 in Wolverhampton.

"Gloucester will be very tough opponents and are playing in a great championship in the University Super 8 competition," pointed out head coach Angus McNab.

"I hope we are not too rusty as the last game was September for us and we will need to be switched in to stand a chance."