Rangers are the current cup holders, with this season's first round scheduled for Saturday 26 September.
Worthington Cup holders Blackburn were given a real fright before scraping through on penalties.
South Africa are the World Cup holders, while New Zealand are the 2011 hosts.
Having beaten Chelsea, Ferguson's men now faced reigning champions and FA Cup holders, Arsenal.
Wigan beat Millwall 2-0 to reach the final, with Manchester City defeating FA Cup holders Chelsea 2-1.
The Carling Cup holders are now looking into other possible destinations to prepare for their Championship return.
Monaghan's drop-goal and another late converted try from King capped a resounding win for the Challenge Cup holders.
If Chelsea beat the European Cup holders, Barcelona will face a difficult task to quality for the last 16.
BBC: SPORT | Football | Europe | Gudjohnsen to come good - Barca
Rangers are the cup holders having beaten Celtic 2-1 after extra time in the final at Hampden in May.
America's Cup holders Alinghi, of Switzerland, will race off against the winner of the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series in Spain.
Before we begin our beverage service, take a moment to identify which of the 15 cup holders is nearest to you.
The Algerian current CAF Cup holders won 2-0, 2-1 on aggregate, and are now on course for a hat-trick of titles.
In-form Spain head to the tournament as favorites, while a resurgent Brazil side and World Cup holders Italy also can't be discounted.
There are also illuminated cup holders, colored door-lock covers and spoilers.
Herbert's side narrowly lost 4-3 to World Cup holders Italy in a friendly on Wednesday, and he said the big-game experience is excellent.
Samoa captain Mahonri Schwalger admitted his pride at the Pacific Nations Cup holders' performance was tempered by his belief they should have won.
In other tennis action Sunday, Fed Cup holders the Czech Republic beat Italy 4-1 in Ostrava to seal their place in the final.
Burnley's early dominance threatened to wreck a carnival atmosphere as cup holders Spurs paraded returning hero Jermain Defoe before kick-off after his switch from Portsmouth.
Fleming admitted as much after the game with Sri Lanka when he named both their conquerors and Cup holders Australia as "more skilled than us".
One attribute they don't skimp on, you can bet: cup holders.
The Louis Vuitton Cup will decide which of the 11 challengers will sail against America's Cup holders Alinghi in the finals from 23 June-4 July.
BBC: SPORT | Other Sport... | Sailing | Kiwis make challenger semi-finals
But the fortunes of the Cup holders have been transformed since that defeat, and Vickery says there is no easy way to win the ultimate prize.
Carson has represented his country at all age levels and now Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington has give him a chance against the World Cup holders.
African Cup Winners' Cup holders Kaizer Chiefs had their appeal against disqualification from this year's competition dismissed by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) on Tuesday.
We have been pooled with the reigning Rugby World Cup holders, Fiji, and Samoa in Dubai and then the IRB Series champions New Zealand and Argentina in George.
The Heineken Cup holders led the Magners League at the start of the weekend, but rested all their Ireland squad players for the trip to Newport's Rodney Parade.
Tommy Robredo and Feliciano Lopez beat Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram 7-6 6-7 6-4 6-2 to put Cup holders Spain 3-0 up against Israel in the best-of-five tie.
Elsewhere, Japan -- the current FIFA Women's World Cup holders -- beat Canada 2-1, thanks to goals from Nahomi Kawasumi and Aya Miyama at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
Current FIFA Women's World Cup holders Japan won their opening match by beating Canada 2-1 at the Ricoh Arena, Brazil thumped Cameroon 5-0 and Sweden beat South Africa 4-1.
Darren Ferguson - in his first home match since taking over as Preston manager - harboured hopes of starting his reign by producing a shock against the FA Cup holders.
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