PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES ANNOUNCED

And a week later they will collide with Pontypridd at The Gnoll, Pontypridd having denied the Welsh All Blacks the double last season when they pipped them 26-25 in the Konica Minolta Cup final.

The 26 rounds of fixtures for the 14 clubs in the newly streamlined Premiership see other Round 1 trips for Swansea to Cardiff; Maesteg to Llanelli; Ebbw Vale to Bridgend; Aberavon to Newport; Llandovery to Pontypridd and Cross Keys to Bedwas.

Neath coach Rowland Phillips, who has guided the club to those back-to-back Premiership titles, said: “Because we have won the Principality Premiership for the last two seasons, every game promises to be a tough one – the champions are there to be shot at and they are the ones everyone else wants to beat.

“We consider that a compliment for all the hard work done by everyone at Neath and we are really looking forward to the new season with all 14 clubs starting from scratch.

“We have got some new players and some fresh ideas and our preparation has gone well – I am sure all the clubs are just as eager as us for the tournament to kick-off.”

Wales’ largest building Society, Principality, will continue as title sponsor of the Welsh Rugby Union’s semi-professional league competition.

Managing Director of Principality Building Society, Tracy Morshead, said: “The Principality Premiership is a great fit for us and we are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with the WRU into its second year. We are both leading Welsh brands who share pride and passion in our national sport and like ourselves, the Principality Premiership continues to grow in stature and profile each year and it is a product we can all be proud of.”

WRU Chief Executive Steve Lewis believes the Principality Premiership is going to be even more competitive this year now that it has been reduced to 14 clubs. “The Principality Premiership plays a vital part in the development of players in Wales as it serves as an essential breeding ground for our young professional players.

“The fact that the number of clubs competing in the competition has now been reduced from 16 to 14 will, we believe, make Premiership rugby even more attractive and competitive.

“All Premiership clubs put a great deal of time, money and hard work last season into passing the Premiership criteria which means that  players, spectators, administrators, sponsors and broadcasters can all enjoy the benefits of a better product in the Principality Premiership.”

Click here for the fixture list