Wayne Pivac says Scarlets have been handed a daunting challenge when they fly the solo flag for Wales in this season’s European Rugby Champions Cup.

The Scarlets have been drawn in pool 3 alongside Aviva Premiership and defending champions Saracens, former European Champions RC Toulon and Sale Sharks.

Pivac said: “This is the European Cup and every pool is going to be tough. On the face of it it’s an extremely tough challenge for us.

“Toulon have a fantastic record in Europe finishing champions three times in the last four years.

“Saracens, as Aviva Premiership champions, have set the benchmark over the last twelve months with a lot of their players in the England squad who are in form in world rugby at the moment!

“Sale will also be a tough opposition and have some making it a tough pool on the whole.”

“After last season we’ll be looking for much improved performances and despite it being somewhat of a daunting challenge it’s also an exciting one for us as a club that is very ambitious.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to see where we’re at in terms of taking on some of the top sides in Europe as we look to continue to develop into a club that can compete at the highest level.

“It will be exciting for the fans to see some of the best players in England and some of the best players around the world playing at the Parc.

“It will also be another fantastic opportunity for our players to pit themselves against the best in Europe.”

Scarlets will face Saracens for the first time in the European competition whilst being fully aware of the power of French giants Toulon having come up against them in the 2014-15 season, when Toulon went on to be crowned champions.

The only time Scarlets and Sale Sharks have met in the competition is during the 2002-03 season when Scarlets secured the double over the Premiership side.