Elsewhere European champions Munster visit Scotland’s capital city to face Edinburgh, whilst the big game in Ireland sees EDF Anglo-Welsh Cup winners, Ospreys, visit Connacht.
The visit of Llanelli Scarlets to Ravenhill and Glasgow Warriors to Newport Gwent Dragons make up the rest of the fixtures for the opening round.
Once again ‘local derbies’ will be held over the Christmas / New Year period, whilst the season will conclude the weekend of 16 May, in time to avoid any potential clash of dates with the opening fixture of the British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa.
These fixtures are weekend only dates; specific dates, kick-off times and in some cases venues, will be released later in conjunction with broadcast partners and individual teams.
