Awkward clashes for league at first

RABODIRECT PRO12:NO RESPITE for the wicked or, more pertinently, the successful. As the Pro12 fixtures underline, the farther Ireland advance in the World Cup, the bigger the strain on their frontline players and on their provinces.

Were Ireland to reach the final weekend of RWC 2011, only a fortnight later Leinster are scheduled to play Munster in the league, with Ulster hosting Connacht, a week before all four provinces enter the Heineken Cup.

The fixtures, with finalised dates and times for the first 12 rounds unveiled yesterday, have largely deferred derbies until after the World Cup. The only all-Irish game during that six-week World Cup window is the Leinster-Connacht encounter in round six on Saturday, October 8th.

That constitutes Leinster’s fourth home game in the opening six rounds and, curiously, Connacht’s fourth away game, whereas Munster and Ulster have three home and away apiece.

They take place on RWC quarter-final weekend, before the league has a two-week break.

Things begin on Friday, September 2nd, the same night the Republic of Ireland play the first of two crunch back-to-back Euro 12 qualifiers against Slovakia at the Aviva Stadium. That night Ulster play hosts to the Warriors and Leinster are away to the Ospreys

In what is liable to be a relatively low-key start for the defending champions, Munster begin the next day at home to the Dragons, with Connacht in Treviso the same day.

Inevitably, the league will struggle going up against the World Cup, although the time differences avert direct clashes. For example, round two clashes with the opening weekend in New Zealand, when the provinces will be done and dusted by the time Ireland start their campaign on the Sunday, September 11th, 7.30am Irish time, against the USA Eagles.

The following Saturday, Munster and Leinster welcome the Scarlets and the Glasgow Warriors, after Ireland play Australia earlier that day in Auckland (8.30am Irish times).

Otherwise, clashes are fairly minimal, especially when the provinces are at home.

There is the customary double round of derbies on St Stephen’s Day and over the New Year weekend, with the return Munster-Leinster match at Thomond Park again coming after the Six Nations and before the Heineken Cup knock-out stages in late March.

Munster welcome Ulster on the final weekend, Friday, May 4th, when Leinster travel to the Dragons and Connacht visit the Warriors, before the semi-finals a week later and the final on Saturday, May 26th.

Connacht to hold open training in Sligo RFC

CONNACHT Rugby are holding open training sessions at Sligo RFC, newly promoted to the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League and the most northerly club in the province, this Sunday and Monday as Eric Elwood prepares his squad for the season.

Then, on Tuesday evening, Connacht will be holding their official squad launch and announce their new sponsor (after a 14-year association with Bank of Ireland).

This is also open to the public, at the Galway Bay Hotel.