Ulster and Connacht set to meet on URC opening weekend

Ulster and Connacht will meet in the first all-Irish derby of the campaign on the opening day of the second United Rugby Championship season this September.

The fixtures have been released for the URC's second season under the new format following last year's successful debut, which saw the Stormers beat the Bulls in the Grand Final in Cape Town just over a month ago.

The all-South African final pairing belied a campaign which saw Irish provinces dominate for the most part - except when it mattered most, at trophy time.

And so, fresh off a contract extension, Ulster boss Dan McFarland will see his troops kick off their season by hosting Andy Friend's visitors at Kingspan Stadium.

On the same weekend, Leinster travel to Zebre while Munster are in Wales to take on Cardiff.

Week two throws another tricky away trip at Connacht - this time they head to Cape Town to take on defending champs, the Stormers. Ulster travel to Scralets and Munster are again in Wales to face the Dragons. Leinster, meanwhile, enjoy home advantage against Bennetton.

Week three throws up another Irish derby between Ulster and Leinster in Ravenhill, while Connacht make the South African trip to take on the Bulls.

Other derby dates for your calendar include week four, where Connacht and Munster clash before the former again host a neighbouring province the following week, this time they welcome Leinster to the Sportsgrounds.

We must wait until the third week of October for our first taste of the Leinster-Munster rivalry we all know and love - that arrives in game week six, with Leinster hosting.

It's Irish derbies galore from there until the new year, in fact. Weeks seven (Munster v Ulster), eight (Munter v Connacht) and nine (Leinster v Ulster) see the provinces