Reigning champions Leinster will open their 2018/19 Champions Cup campaign with a Friday night clash with Aviva Premiership side Wasps at the RDS after the fixture list was confirmed today.
Leo Cullen’s side will be the first Irish team in action on Friday, 12 October, with Munster travelling to take on Exeter, while Ulster host Leicester at Kingspan Stadium.
A week later on Saturday, 20 October and Simon Zebo could face Irish opposition for the first time when Racing 92 host Ulster, the same day as Gloucester travel to Thomond Park.
The all-important back-to-back December fixtures will see Munster host Castres before travelling to France for the return fixture six days later.
Leinster will be on the road to Bath in round three before welcoming the Premiership side to Dublin the following Saturday, while Ulster will play on successive Friday nights.
They will be away to Scarlets on 7 December before welcoming the Welsh side to Belfast the following week.
The penultimate round will see Munster travel to Kingsholm for a Friday night fixture, while the pool stages concludes with Ulster and Munster in action on Saturday 20 January followed by Leinster’s visit to the Ricoh Arena on the Sunday.
Round one
Friday 12 October – Leinster v Wasps (7.45pm)
Saturday 13 October – Exeter v Munster (3.15pm)
Saturday 13 October – Ulster v Leicester (5.30pm)
Round two
Saturday 20 October – Munster v Gloucester (1pm)
Saturday 20 October – Racing 92 v Ulster (5.30pm)
Sunday 21 October – Toulouse v Leinster (3.15pm)
Round three
Friday 7th December – Scarlets v Ulster (7.45pm)
Saturday 8th December – Bath v Leinster (3.15pm)
Sunday 9th December – Munster v Castres (1pm)
Round four
Friday 14th December – Ulster v Scarlets (7.45pm)
Saturday 15th December – Leinster v Bath (5.30pm)
Saturday 15th December – Castres v Munster(5.30pm)
Round five
Friday 11th January – Gloucester v Munster (7.45pm)
Saturday 12th January – Leinster v Toulouse (1pm)
Saturday 12th January – Ulster v Racing 92 (3.15pm)
Round six
Saturday 19th January – Leicester v Ulster (3.15pm)
Saturday 19th January – Munster v Exeter Chiefs (5.30pm)
Sunday 20th January – Wasps v Leinster (3.15pm)
