DIRECTOR of rugby John Brain believes the powers that be in European rugby have finally come to their senses with the new-look Challenge Cup.

The Warriors have been handed matches against Connacht, Montpellier and Amatori Catania in pool five of the competition from October until January.

Closely following the Heineken Cup format, the re-vamped tournament does away with last season's knock-out stages and European Shield.

The Shield caused controversy for Warriors as, despite reaching the final after being dumped out of the European Cup by Brive, there was no Heineken Cup place for the winners. A Heineken Cup place awaits the Challenge Cup champions.

Warriors were also forced to field under-strength sides because squads had to be registered before the competition started. Worcester's director of rugby John Brain sees the new structure as a positive move and gives the club something to aim at.

The new format, 20 clubs from six countries in five pools of four, guarantees teams at least six games.

Brain said: "I think the organisers of the competition have seen sense and I think the pool format is a very good move and we welcome that.

"The squad can look forward to it. We will have six matches, all of which will mean something.

"The European Shield had no prize attached to winning it. There was no prospect of European rugby or making any money. It was really a competition without a purpose. Now there is the carrot of the Heineken Cup."

European Rugby Cup chairman Jean-Pierre Lux said: "After lengthy ERC board consultations involving the views of both unions and clubs, it became evident that there were strong requirements for guaranteed fixtures and higher quality contests.

"The view was that the pool format we have followed in the Heineken Cup is the best way to meet those needs. There will be 20 teams instead of 32 and 67 matches instead of the 86 we had last season in the European Challenge Cup and European Shield."

Seven French, six English, four Italian and one team from each of Ireland, Scotland and Romania make up the draw. Agen (France), Viadana (Italy), Connacht (Ireland), The Borders (Scotland) and Gloucester (England) are the seeds.

Each pool winner and the best three runners-up qualify for the last eight.