Leopards could meet old rivals London Towers in the second round of the National Cup.

The Big Cats have a bye in the first round of the competition they won in the 2005/6 season, and will host the winners of the Towers v's Hackney White Heat tie. The game will take place at Wodson Park on Sunday October 21.

The old Leopards had many titanic battles against Towers when the sides met in the BBL during the 1990s and early years of this century. The Big Cats pushed Towers into second place in the 1997 BBL as they won the league, but Kevin Cadle's team gained revenge with an 89-88 victory in the play-off final.

Towers pulled out of the BBL at the start of last season, but their B team remained in Division Three South where they finished second in both the league and play-offs last season - narrowly missing out on the title after finishing level with Cardiff Celts. However they were unable to apply for promotion due to Crystal Palace NSC being redeveloped during part of the forthcoming season. White Heat finished fourth in Division Three South, but shocked northern section University of Birmingham in the play-offs before losing against Towers.

Victory against Towers or White Heat would see Jon Burnell's side home again in the third round, with Guildford Heat II, Birmingham Athletics, University of Wolverhapton or Cornwall Cougars the visitors. Leopards also have a home draw if they progress to the quarter-finals, with league and play-off champions Worthing Thunder the likely visitors.

The Big Cats host San Jose University at Wodson Park on August 18, with pre-season friendlies expected to start on September 8.