Division 1A begins with a landmark occasion at Castle Avenue as Old Wesley face Clontarf for the first time in the Energia All-Ireland League. It will also mark Old Wesley’s first top flight fixture in more than 29 years, giving the Donnybrook faithful plenty to look forward to on their return to the highest level.
Defending champions St Mary’s College begin their title defence with a Dublin derby away to Lansdowne. The sides are already well acquainted this season, having met just over a week ago in the Leinster Senior Cup Final, where Lansdowne came out on top.
Cork Constitution, having missed out on the semi-finals last season, face a testing opening assignment against Terenure College, who reached the last four back in April. Young Munster welcome Old Belvedere to Tom Clifford Park, while Ballynahinch and UCD meet at Ballymacarn Park completing a mouth watering opening round of fixtures.
In Division 1B, MU Barnhall will make history when they run out for their first ever Division 1 fixture. They travel to Stradbrook to face Blackrock College in an all Leinster contest.
Dublin University, who missed out on promotion last season, begin their latest challenge away to City of Armagh.
Two more promotion contenders from last term meet when third placed finishers Instonians travel to Garryowen, who finished just behind them. Highfield host relegated Nenagh Ormond in a Munster derby, while Naas welcome UCC to Forenaughts.
Galwegians are back in Division 2A after seven years away, and their return begins against familiar opposition in Dungannon. The teams last met just over a year ago in Division 2B.
The division gets underway at 1pm when Shannon welcome Queen’s University, relegated from 1B, to the Thomond Park Back Pitch.
Newly promoted UL Bohemian travel to Spafield for a Munster clash with Cashel, Ballymena host Greystones at Eaton Park, and Wanderers head west to face Galway Corinthians in a fixture which has produced some memorable contests over the years.
There will be another piece of history in the newly restructured Division 2B North as Enniskillen make their Energia All-Ireland League debut. They begin on home soil against fellow Ulster side Rainey in a fixture being shown live on Irish Rugby+.
Ballyclare and Sligo also break new ground with the first meeting between the clubs, while Clogher Valley and Malahide renew acquaintances at The Cran.
Malone host Banbridge, who dropped out of Division 2A last season, in another Ulster derby, with Skerries welcoming Leinster rivals Navan to Holmpatrick.
Division 2B South also promises an entertaining opening weekend. Bruff make their first trip to Dubarry Park in almost 14 years to take on Buccaneers, with both clubs hoping to lay down an early marker in the restructured competition.
Bective Rangers and Old Crescent meet at Energia Park for the first time since 2017, while Dolphin host Enniscorthy in a rematch a year in the making. Monkstown and Clonmel renew a rivalry which has produced some excellent contests in recent seasons.
Completing a packed opening programme, Thomond welcome Midleton for an all Munster showdown on Shannonside, bringing the curtain up on another eagerly anticipated Energia All-Ireland League campaign.