The new campaign sees a six-team split across both divisions, with promotion and relegation decided through play-offs. The bottom-placed Division 1A side will face the highest place finishers in Division 1B , while the bottom side in 1B will meet the eventual winner of the provincial qualifying league play-offs, ensuring plenty remains at stake throughout the season.

One of the standout fixtures in Division 1A sees Railway Union welcome defending champions UL Bohemian to Park Avenue, with another chapter of their storied rivalry set to unfold live on IrishRugby+ at 5pm on Saturday

The sides have regularly battled for silverware in recent seasons, but Railway will be particularly determined to make an early statement after their remarkable run of reaching finals, stretching back to the 2018/19 campaign, ended last season.

UL Bohemian remain the standard bearers of the competition, with the Limerick side chasing a fourth consecutive title. The Red Robins will once again be among the favourites, but Railway have shown they can trouble the champions, recording a 46-19 victory at Park Avenue last March. Bohs won the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign, setting up another fascinating encounter between two familiar rivals.

Old Belvedere welcome Galwegians to Ollie Campbell Park kicking off the 1A action at 2:30pm in another intriguing opening round contest, with both sides hoping to build on their performances last season.

Belvo reached the semi-finals before suffering a heart-breaking defeat to UL Bohemian in Annacotty. Having continued to develop into serious contenders, the Dublin outfit will be eager to challenge higher up the standings and improve on last season's fourth place finish.

Galwegians arrive as last season's beaten Conference finalists, having shown their ability to compete with established opposition. Wegians defeated Belvo at Energia Park during the previous campaign and will take confidence from that result as they aim to make an immediate impact in the new-look top flight.

Blackrock College begin their campaign at Stradbrook for a 5pm meeting Wicklow in an all Leinster encounter, with both clubs carrying plenty of motivation into the opening weekend.

Rock suffered a dramatic defeat to UL Bohemian in last April's final and will be determined to go one better this time around. Having consistently challenged for the title, the Dublin side will view a strong start as vital to another championship push.

Wicklow meanwhile, enter the campaign as Conference champions after an impressive season that saw them secure silverware. They will be eager to test themselves against the leading sides in the country and build on their progress.

Blackrock recorded a commanding 44-7 victory when the sides met at Stradbrook last February, but Wicklow will be hoping to provide a much sterner examination this weekend.

Division 1B also promises an exciting opening round, with two newcomers preparing for historic debuts and several established clubs looking to challenge for promotion.

Cooke welcome Ennis to Shaw's Bridge at 2:30pm, getting the day underway in a contest that could provide an early indication of both sides ambitions for the season ahead.

Ennis enjoyed an outstanding debut campaign last term, finishing seventh overall and demonstrating their ability to compete at AIL level. The Clare side will now be aiming to build on those foundations and push towards the top of Division 1B.

Cooke meanwhile, retained their league status last season and will be determined to put together a more consistent campaign. The Ulster side have proven difficult opponents on home soil, although Ennis edged a thrilling 31-27 encounter at Shaw's Bridge last February.

There will be a special atmosphere around 3pm at Parsonstown as MU Barnhall welcome Ballincollig for their first ever Energia All-Ireland League fixture.

The Leinster newcomers arrive with an impressive pedigree, having dominated junior rugby in recent seasons and claimed four consecutive Energia Junior Cup titles. After several years of pushing for promotion, Barnhall finally have the opportunity to showcase their ability at the next level.

Ballincollig will provide a difficult opening assignment, however, with the experienced Cork side determined to improve on last season's eighth place finish. Having finished just behind Munster rivals Ennis, Ballincollig will be targeting a stronger campaign and a push towards the promotion places.

Another historic occasion awaits at Mullaghmeen, where Enniskillen welcome Tullow for their maiden Energia All-Ireland League fixture.

Enniskillen have established themselves as one of the leading sides in Ulster junior rugby and will now look to translate that success onto the national stage. Beginning their campaign in front of their home supporters provides the perfect opportunity to make an early statement.

Tullow know all about the challenges of adapting to AIL rugby, having entered the competition three seasons ago. The Carlow side secured their first league victories last season before overcoming Shannon in a relegation play-off to retain their status.

With that experience behind them, Tullow will be determined to avoid another battle at the bottom of the standings, while Enniskillen will be hoping to make their historic debut a winning one.

FIXTURES:

ENERGIA AIL WOMEN'S DIVISION 1A - ROUND 1

Old Belvedere v Galwegians, Ollie Campbell Park, (KO: 2:30pm)
Blackrock Col. v Wicklow, Stradbrook, (KO: 5:00pm)
Railway Union v UL Bohemian, Park Avenue, (KO: 5:00pm) - live on IrishRugby+ 

ENERGIA AIL WOMEN'S DIVISION 1B - ROUND 1

Cooke v Ennis RFC, Shaw's Bridge, (KO: 2:30pm)
MU Barnhall v Ballincollig, Parsonstown, (KO: 3:00pm)
Enniskillen RFC v Tullow RFC, Enniskillen, (KO: 5:00pm)