Conference B: Leinster; Scarlets; Ulster; Edinburgh; Dragons; Treviso; Southern Kings

to Llanelli to face the title holders.

The Ospreys are away to Treviso, while both the Blues and the Dragons travel across the Irish Sea to take on Connacht and Ulster respectively,

Then, on the last weekend of September, the Ospreys will become the first Welsh team to travel to South Africa, as they take on the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

The Kings are in Newport that same weekend for a meeting with the Dragons, while the Scarlets host Connacht and the Blues head for Munster.

Leinster will be the first Celtic team to have a mini tour of South Africa, as they face the Kings and Cheetahs on successive Saturdays in mid-September.

Full fixtures for the first 13 rounds of the league season will be be announced in the next day or so.

The 14 teams are divided into two conferences of seven amid the new expanded competition structure.

Sides plays teams in their own section home and away, while they have home or away matches versus outfits from the other conference.

There are also two additional rounds of derby matches to ensure there is no reduction in the number of derbies.

That means a total of 21 regularseason matches, with the top-three teams from each conference progressing to the play-offs, which will comprise quarter-finals, semis and the final.

Competition chairman Gerald Davies says he is filled with excitement over the prospects for the new season.

“The strength of the Guinness PRO12 has always been in the diversity of cultures that we have in Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales,” said the former Wales and Lions great.

“Now, we add South Africa, a country with a tremendous passion and heritage in rugby union as we broaden the horizons of the Championship by pitting north versus south on a regular basis. It’s a prospect that should whet the appetite of rugby people everywhere.

“I am filled with excitement about the prospect of seeing the Toyota Cheetahs and the Southern Kings taking on the best that Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy have to offer.

“The Cheetahs are renowned for their running style of play and for the number of Springboks who emerge from the Free State on a regular basis.

“The Southern Kings are one of the most adventurous teams from the southern hemisphere and their Eastern Province heritage, which includes notable victories over the British & Irish Lions in the past century.

“Bringing together club teams from five Tier One nations represents exciting new territory for the Championship, but it also enhances the international calibre and flavour of the Guinness PRO14.

“The anticipation of watching all 14 teams create history this season is matched only by the knowledge that these are just the first steps towards a very prosperous future for the Championship.”