Reigning Champions Munster are at home to the Cell C Sharks who have never won at Thomond Park in the history of playing in the league. The Red Army last faced the Sharks at the back end of last season and it finished a 22-22 draw in Durban. However, the Sharks will be without star Captain Siya Kolisi as he moved to French side Racing 92.
Fellow Irish team Connacht host Tony Booth’s Ospreys at the Galway Greyhound Stadium. When these two met last season The Westerners just edged a 22-19 victory back in October at the Swansea.com Stadium.
For Dai Flanagans Dragons side it is a mirrored opening game of the season as they face Sean Everitt’s Edinburgh side at Rodney Parade. The last time these two met was at the start of the 2022-23 season where the Gunners won comfortably with a bonus point 44-6. Dai Flanagan has signed a lot of talented players like Cai Evans, Dane Blacker, and Dan Lydiate. Everitt has signed experienced Irish man Ben Healy from Munster and Scottish International Javan Sebastian from the Scarlets after playing for the club for eight years.
Italian side Zebre open up the 2023-24 campaign as they host Ulster in Parma. Dan McFarland side are looking to make a strong start to their Campaign. Ulster have made some decent signings over the long pre-season period with Springbok international Steven Kitshoff signing for the Ulstermen from the 2021-22 Champions Stormers.
Benetton travel to South Wales to face Cardiff Rugby. Benetton have made some huge signings over the summer with Tongan international and former All Black Malakai Fonokalafi Fekitoa from Munster and Andy Muren from Bristol Bears. Cardiff on the other hand have brought through a-lot of exciting young talent from the academy with the likes of Theo Cabango, Mackenzie Martin and Evan Lloyd being promoted to the first team. The last time these two met was in the quarter finals of the Challenge Cup where Benetton won 27-23.
Scarlets start their campaign with back to back games away to South African opposition, this weekend they face the Bulls in Pretoria. The last time these two met was back in January in West Wales where The Turks won with a bonus point. 2021-22 champions Stormers travel to Ellis Park in Johannesburg to face the Lions.
To finish off the opening weekend Glasgow Warriors entertain runners up of the European Champions Cup Leinster at the Scotstoun Stadium.
Written By Harry Tovey.
HTSPORTSNEWS 