Irish giants will provide tough opening Euro test for Ospreys
WALES’ sole representatives in the Heineken Champions Cup, the Ospreys, will kick-off their campaign at home to two-times winners Munster.
They will take on the Irish giants at the Liberty Stadium at 5.30pm on Saturday, November 16, in their opening Pool 4 fixture.
Europe gets underway later than usual this coming season because of the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
The Ospreys find themselves in a real group-of-death, with holders Saracens their second opponents at Allianz Park on Saturday, November 23 (1pm).
They then have back-to-back games against French big spenders Racing 92 in December before completing their pool programme in January.
Wales’ three other sides are all in the second-tier Challenge Cup this season.
The Scarlets start off with a home fixture against Gallagher Premiership new boys London Irish on Saturday, November 16, a game that has an 8pm kick-off.
They travel to Toulon the following Friday (Nov 22), with a further 8pm start British time, ahead of December fixtures away and home to another French club, Bayonne.
Cardiff Blues are off to Italy first up for a meeting with Calvisano on the afternoon of Saturday, November 16, with Leicester and Pau heading to the Arms Park in rounds two and three.
Finally, the Dragons kick-off by welcoming Castres to Rodney Parade (Saturday, November 16, 3pm) before making the long trip to Krasnodar for another meeting with Russian side Enisei, before return fixtures with Worcester.