Return is confirmed for PRO14

THE clash of Leinster and Munster at the Aviva Stadium to herald the return of Irish rugby will take place on Saturday, August 22 with a 7.35pm kick-off.

Eir Sport will broadcast the game live, while TG4 will show the encounter between Connacht and Ulster at the same venue on Sunday, August 23 at 4.30pm.

Ulster and Leinster will then meet at the Lansdowne Road ground on Saturday, August 29 at 7.35pm and the following day Munster and Connacht will collide at 3pm.

The PRO14 will resume on Friday, August 21 with Benetton hosting Italian rivals Zebre.

However, no dates have yet been fixed for the derby games between the Toyota Cheetahs and the Isuzu Southern Kings in South Africa.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic there, both teams have only been allowed to return to non-contact training this week.

Tournament director David Jordan said: “So far we have been encouraged by the developments that have allowed all of our teams to return to training.

“Thanks to the great efforts of our clubs and unions, the willingness of governments and the support of our broadcasters we now have a fixture list to look forward to.

“Everyone who makes our games possible has had to adapt to a new way of working under the restrictions of the pandemic and the response of all our key stakeholders has been very impressive.

“With these fixtures now confirmed we are all geared to safe delivery of these games and to the welcome return of rugby after such a long period without the sport.”

Meanwhile, Ireland legend Paul O’connell believes that playing behind closed doors won’t affect the top stars.

“I wouldn’t struggle to play in an empty stadium,” said O’connell, the former Munster second row.

“I think the way things have gone in the last few years, with Leinster dominating Munster, it wouldn’t be a struggle.

“It’s just something that they have to get on with.”