Early reunion on cards for Scarlets
THE Scarlets are set for a reunion with former head coach Simon Easterby when the 2018-19 Guinness PRO14 fixture list is revealed next week.
Competition chiefs are expected to unveil the schedule on Tuesday afternoon, but the opening matches appear to have been leaked in advance.
The Scarlets are poised for a trip to Belfast in round one to take on Ulster, who have Ireland forwards coach Easterby assisting with their coaching prior to the arrival of current Scotland assistant coach Dan McFarland in January.
As well as Easterby, former Wales and Lions scrum-half Dwayne Peel is another ex-Scarlet coaching at the Kingspan.
The sides will also meet in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup pool rounds.
Elsewhere, new Cardiff Blues coach John Mulvihill is set for a baptism of fire with last season’s Challenge Cup winners facing defenders champions and Euro kings Leinster at the Arms Park first up.
The Irish province are due to head to Llanelli in the second round in a rematch of last season’s final and Champions Cup semi-final.
The new-look Dragons could have an opportunity to start with a bang as they face Italian side Benetton at Rodney Parade, while the Ospreys are due to host Edinburgh at the Liberty.
The fixtures have been issued to the participating teams and broadcasters in advance of the official unveiling and could change in the coming days if an issue arises.
There has been growing frustration among supporters at the delay in the fixture announcement, especially as the Gallagher Premiership fixtures in England were revealed on July 6.
Speaking to WalesOnline at the start of the month PRO14 Chief executive Martin Anayi said: “It’s an incredibly complex process.
“It’s completely different to the English or French leagues where all the teams are in the same country and it’s a simple home and away format.
“We’ve got 14 different teams from five countries. We’ve got cross-border trips and flights to and from South Africa. We also have to wait for the football fixtures because there are a number of joint venues.
“But we are pretty close to getting the fixtures finalised.
“As I say, we’ve got a broadcasters meeting this week and then they will go to clubs first. They should be out the same time as last year, which was the middle of July.”
Once the fixtures for all three of Europe’s leagues are made public, the dates and kick-off times for the opening four rounds of the Heineken Champions Cup pool stages are due to be finalised.
The two PRO14 conferences are expected contain the same teams as last season with the regular campaign set to finish again with derby fixtures.
Glasgow’s Celtic Park stadium is understood to be the venue that will host the 2018-19 final.