There are the regular local derby fixtures to look forward to over the festive period, whilst the final round of the regular season, Round 22, is scheduled for 9/10/11 May. The Play-Offs follow a week later then the 2013/14 RaboDirect PRO12 season concludes with the Final on the last weekend in May.
Tournament Director David Jordan commented: “It is ten years since the competition changed to a home and away format and four years since the introduction of the end of season Play-Offs. During that time a regular season pattern has emerged and we have seen increases in both attendances and viewing figures so fans are obviously enjoying the rugby that is on offer in the RaboDirect PRO12.
“In the coming season fans in the home Unions have the added excitement of the victorious British and Irish Lions players returning to their clubs to look forward to as well.
“Since the inception of the competition five different teams have taken the title, although interestingly no champions have ever defended their crown, Leinster will have a challenge on their hands in the coming season.”
Director of Rugby Lyn Jones said, “We are delighted to now have the fixtures out. It gives us great focus at the start of the season.
“We are also delighted to be welcoming probably, without doubt the best team in the RaboDirect Pro 12 league last year. When we play against Ulster it will be a big challenge and it will help us understand how good or bad we are and what type of season we are going to have and what sort of improvements we can make from last year.
“To be the best you have to play against the best early on and we hope to give Ulster a warm welcome but we are not going to focus on the result against them we will look at the performance and look forward to the rest of the season with much more optimism.”
RaboDirect PRO12 Season 2013/14
Round 1 – 6/7/8 September
Benetton Treviso v Ospreys
Connacht v Zebre
Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Blues
Munster v Edinburgh Rugby
Newport Gwent Dragons v Ulster
Scarlets v Leinster
Round 2 – 13/14/15 September
Cardiff Blues v Connacht
Edinburgh Rugby v Newport Gwent Dragons
Leinster v Ospreys
Scarlets v Benetton Treviso
Ulster v Glasgow Warriors
Zebre v Munster
Fixtures in full can be found at www.RaboDirectPRO12.com.
NOTE: All fixtures and venues are subject to change
