WORCESTER Warriors will have to see off the challenge of last year's finalists Ospreys as well as Guinness Premiership rivals London Irish and Harlequins if they are to advance to the knock-out stages of the EDF Energy Cup.

Worcester have been drawn in Group C' of the Anglo-Welsh competition and their first assignment is a Sixways showdown with Ospreys on October 27 which will be shown live on BBC television.

That will be followed by trips to Harlequins and Irish, which are scheduled to take place during the first and last weekends in November.

The visit of the Welsh club - who finished runners-up to Leicester in last season's tournament - is an intriguing prospect for Worcester's new director of rugby Mike Ruddock, who enjoyed success with Swansea both as a player and coach.

"We're looking forward to taking part in this year's EDF Cup and there can be no better start than a home match ag-ainst last year's runners-up in the Ospreys," he said.

"They proved last year how good they are by winning the Celtic League, finishing runners-up in the EDF and performing well in Europe. It's going to be a mighty challenge, but one we are all looking forward to."

Ruddock could also be renewing acquaintances with Ospreys star Gavin Henson, who blossomed for the Wales national team under Ruddock's stewardship and was linked with a move to Sixways.

The winners of the four groups will meet in the semi-finals of the competition with the final taking place at Twickenham on April 8.

"After two stirring Anglo-Welsh finals at Twickenham and the excitement of the double-header days at the Millennium Stadium, we have been eagerly awaiting the 2007/08 competition draw," said Terry Burwell, the Rugby Football Union's tournament and competitions director.