Pat Lam is relishing a weekend of Anglo-Welsh ties at Ashton Gate following confirmation Bristol Bears will play Pro14 side the Dragons at home on Sunday, April 5.
The previous day Bristol City, who share the stadium, will host Cardiff City in the Championship.
The Bears game will kick off at the early time of 12:45pm with the match shown live on BT Sport.
The Bears have earned a favourable draw in the final eight of the Challenge Cup after finishing second seeds overall behind Toulon in the pool stages.
A 7-7 draw with Zebre last weekend in the final group game saw the Bears top Pool 4 with an unbeaten record - their best ever run in Europe
Dragons finished as one of the three best runners up having come season in Pool One behind French Top 14 side Castres Olympique.
Lam said: "It going to be tough because of my mate, my good mate Dean Ryan is coaching them.
"Tough because they have got some good players like Rhodri Williams, and Jordi Williams and Ryan Beverington [all former Bristol players] are there but injured long term. But I just know Dean really well and that will be a real tough challenge when it comes.
"Thankfully we have got quite a few games before that.
"It is great because it is not far for the Dragons supporters to come, it will be a great day.
"Bristol City play Cardiff City the day before so it will an Anglo-Welsh weekend."
Should Bristol advance they will also play at home in the semi-final having secured a top two seeding, against the winners of Bordeaux-Begles v Edinburgh Rugby on the weekend of May 1/2/3.
The final takes place at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on Friday, May 22.
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