YORK Wasps' chief executive Ann Garvey is hopeful their French connection sequel will be better than the original, after the club were handed Villeneuve Leopards in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup.

It was a case of dj vu as last night's draw paired the Wasps, conquerors of Milford Marlins in round three on Sunday, against the French giants for the second successive year.

This time, the Wasps will be looking for revenge after losing to the Leopards 22-8 at Huntington Stadium last February.

Garvey said: "They did not give us an easy game last year and they were a difficult team. Obviously they beat us and that's something we've got to bear in mind.

"But I do think we've a slightly stronger team this year and the win on Sunday will have done a lot of good for the lads' confidence."

Villeneuve have several French internationals in their line-up and are flying high in the French Elite One division.

Garvey added: "They aren't second in their league for nothing. They've won 11 and drawn one of their 14 games so I think it's going to be a very difficult game.

"The thing we're all pleased about, though, is that it's a home game. It will be interesting to see what happens, but I feel sure this time we stand a better chance of winning through."

The match will pitch two Aussie coaches against each other as Wasps' boss Leo Epifania will go up against Villeneuve's former Keighley forward, Grant Doorey.

Epifania has some experience of French rugby, having played for two seasons with Cahors in the early-1990s before returning Down Under, while the Wasps can also draw on their French contacts.

Garvey said: "I've already spoken to somebody in France about Villeneuve to see if we can get copies of videos of their games.

"From what I understand I don't think Leo knows that much about their current team but we do have our French connections and we will be contacting them to find out as much as we can about them."

This year the number of French clubs taking part in the Challenge Cup doubled from two to four.

Villeneuve and UTC, like Super League clubs, entered the competition in round four, while, in round three, St Gaudens won 24-0 at Keighley Cougars and Toulouse Spacers lost 38-12 at Workington Town.

St Gaudens were rewarded with a home tie against Halifax Blue Sox - the first-ever Challenge Cup tie to be staged in France - while UTC were drawn to visit Chorley.

The most eye-catching fourth round ties see Bradford Bulldogs entertain Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors play host to Hull FC.

The fourth round ties will take place over the weekend of Saturday, February 9 and Sunday, February 10, with the Wasps versus Villenueve clash scheduled for the Sunday, kick off 3pm, subject to confirmation.

Updated: 11:47 Tuesday, January 29, 2002