Middlesex's reward for promotion back into the top flight of county championship rugby is the toughest assignment possible.

Reaching last season's Shield final - they were beaten 32-17 by Cheshire at Twickenham - means coach Florent Rossigneux's side now play for the Bill Beaumont Cup this season.

But the opening game of a tough group is against 2004 and 2005 champions Devon at Exmouth on Saturday and then they travel face 2006 winners Gloucestershire at Lydney before taking on Hertfordshire at Staines on May 19.

"Devon have been to the final for the last three years so playing them has got to be the toughest challenge in county rugby - no question," said manager Bob Lawless.

"They take it very seriously and going to Twickenham is an annual pilgrimage for them now like it used to be for Cornwall.

"If we can put up a good show there I'll be very pleased with it and we should get stronger with each game."

Player-coach Graham Barr is unavailable for the opening game but Middlesex will still be able to call on players from clubs of the calibre of London Welsh, Rosslyn Park and Esher while London One champions London Scottish and Ealing have enjoyed outstanding seasons.

"We'll also be using players who have come through our under-23 development system and that's proved a useful tool that supplied five lads to the team at Twickenham last season," added Lawless.