Munster to begin URC defence v Sharks in Limerick

The BKT United Rugby championship have confirmed their fixtures list for the 2023/24 season, with defending champions Munster to begin their title defence with a home game against the Cell C Sharks.

Graham Rowntree's side will welcome the South Africans to Thomond Park on Saturday, 21 October, with a 5.15pm kick-off.

The opening round of games, which falls on the same weekend as the Rugby World Cup semi-finals, will also see Ulster travel to Zebre (1pm), Connacht host the Ospreys (3pm) on Saturday, 21 October, with Leinster away to Glasgow at 4pm on Sunday, 22 October.

The first Irish derby of the season will take place in Round 3, with Connacht and Ulster meeting at the Sportsground at 7.35pm on Saturday, 4 November.

Other notable dates will see Leinster and Munster meet at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 25 November at 6.30pm, while the pair will also have their annual St Stephen's Day clash at Thomond Park.

In the final round of regular-season games, Leinster are set to host Connacht at 7.35pm on Friday, 31 May, with Munster taking on Ulster at Thomond Park on Saturday 1 June, with the Grand Final scheduled for Saturday, 22 June.

Connacht will be the first of the Irish provinces to tour South Africa, with Pete Wilkins' side taking on the Sharks and Vodacom Bulls in those games on 18 and 25 November respectively.

Ulster will head to South Africa just after the Six Nations, facing the Sharks in Durban on Saturday, 23 March, before facing the DHL Stormers in Cape Town a week later.

Leinster and Munster will then travel for their tours in Rounds 14 and 15.

Leo Cullen's men will go up against the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday, 20 April, with Munster facing the Bulls in Pretoria.

On 27 April, Munster will then face the