The Ospreys will begin the defence of their Magners League title away at Cardiff Blues on Friday, 31 August. The next day sees Llanelli Scarlets host Newport Gwent Dragons. The fixtures will be reversed the following weekend as the Welsh regions enter the competition two weeks before the Irish and Scottish sides. The first full round of fixtures will be on the weekend 21/22/23 September. Here are the opening fixtures in full:

31 August/1/2 September:
Cardiff Blues v Ospreys
Llanelli Scarlets v Newport Gwent Dragons

7/8/9 September:
Dragons v Cardiff Blues
Ospreys v Llanelli Scarlets

21/22/23 September:
Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors
Connacht Rugby v Dragons
Leinster v Edinburgh Rugby
Munster v Llanelli Scarlets
Ulster v Ospreys