Elsewhere in the first round of games, European champions Munster will visit Scotland's capital city to face Edinburgh, whilst the big game in Ireland will see Anglo-Welsh Cup winners, the Ospreys, visit Connacht.

The visits of Llanelli Scarlets, captained again by Simon Easterby, to Ulster and Glasgow Warriors to Newport Gwent Dragons make up the rest of the fixtures for the opening round.

Leinster's first home game will be against recent 'bogey' team Edinburgh the following weekend. Munster will be at home to the Dragons and Connacht will welcome Glasgow Warriors for their first home match.

Once again 'local derbies' will be held over the Christmas/New Year period, whilst the season will conclude over the weekend of May 15-17, 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.

Magners League 2008/09 Fixtures