RaboDirect PRO12 Fixtures Announced For New Season
The weekend dates for the 2012/13 RaboDirect PRO12 season fixtures have now been announced. The race is on to see which venue will become the 35th different ground to be used in the history of the competition.
During round 2, the weekend of September 7/8/9, two new grounds are set to make their bow – Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow and Stadio XXV Aprile in Parma, home to the new Italian team, Zebre.
However first up for Italian new boys is a trip to the Newport Gwent Dragons in Wales, whilst reigning champions the Ospreys face the reverse journey as they play the second Italian outfit, Benetton Treviso, at Stadio di Monigo.
Last season’s beaten RaboDirect PRO12 finalists and reigning European champions Leinster start the new campaign in Wales with a game at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli, whilst the other two 2011/12 play-off contenders, Glasgow Warriors and Munster, face away trips to Ulster and Edinburgh respectively.
The Cardiff Blues’ visit to Galway to play Connacht completes the opening weekend’s fixtures.
Round 2 sees Cardiff play their first home RaboDirect PRO12 game since completing their return to Cardiff Arms Park when Edinburgh are the visitors.
One new ground will make its bow when the Scarlets are the first visitors to Scotstoun Stadium, whilst Connacht will play Zebre in the opening match at Stadio XXV Aprile.
Leinster, Munster and Ospreys host the remaining three games in the second round.
2012/13 RaboDirect PRO12 Opening Fixtures –
Round 1 – August 31/September 1/2
Benetton Treviso v Ospreys
Connacht v Cardiff Blues
Edinburgh v Munster
Newport Gwent Dragons v Zebre
Scarlets v Leinster
Ulster v Glasgow Warriors
Round 2 – September 7/8/9
Cardiff Blues v Edinburgh
Glasgow Warriors v Scarlets
Leinster v Newport Gwent Dragons
Munster v Benetton Treviso
Ospreys v Ulster
Zebre v Connacht
The full fixture list can be viewed in our RaboDirect PRO12 tournament page.