Rugby: Edinburgh and Glasgow to kick off their RaboDirect Pro12 season against Irish opposition

EDINBURGH will open their RaboDirect Pro12 campaign with a home fixture against Munster at Murrayfield, while Glasgow Warriors face a trip to Ulster.

Glasgow Warriors, with Gregor Townsend at the helm, open with a visit to Ravenhill to meet beaten Heineken Cup finalists Ulster and their new coach Mark Anscombe.

The season begins on the weekend of September 1, with new Munster coach Rob Penney leading the province for the first time when they face Edinburgh.

The Ospreys will begin the defence of their RaboDirect Pro12 title with a trip to Italy to face Treviso.

The Welsh region’s thrilling victory over European champions Leinster in last season’s final made them the first side to secure four titles.

Glasgow play their first game of the season at their new Scotstoun Stadium home against the Scarlets the following weekend.

Elsewhere on the second weekend the Blues meet Edinburgh as they return to Cardiff Arms Park, Ulster travel to the Ospreys, Leinster host the Dragons and Munster clash with Treviso.

Italian side Zebre, who have taken the place of the now defunct Aironi, go to Rodney Parade to face the Newport Gwent Dragons.

The Christmas and New Year period is again set aside for local derbies, while the semi-finals will take place over the weekend of May 11, with the final to be held on Saturday, May 25.