Leinster will begin next season's BKT United Rugby Championship season in South Africa, while Munster, Connacht and Ulster will enjoy home comforts in the opening round.
Leo Cullen’s side, who take on Bordeaux Begles this weekend in a Champions Cup final and harbour double dreams with a URC quarter-final date against the Lions later this month, will take on the South African franchise on Saturday, 26 September (12.30pm kick-off) in their opening fixture of next year’s campaign.
Leinster will remain in South Africa with a round two clash against the Sharks to follow a week later.
The scheduling, 129 days out from the start of the new campaign, has thrown up a clash with both of Ireland's home games in the 2027 Women's Six Nations.
On 17 April Ireland host France at 2.30pm, with Leinster hosting Connacht in Dublin at 5.45pm. Round 4 of the 2027 Six Nations will see England travel to Dublin on Saturday, 8 May (2.45pm kick-off), with Limerick hosting the interprovincial derby between Munster and Ulster at 5.15pm.
Connacht and Ulster will be the first of the Irish provinces to square off next term, with Dexcom Stadium the venue on Friday, 25 September with a 7.45pm kick-off.
Stuart Lancaster’s side welcome DHL Stormers to Dexcom Stadium, while Edinburgh are the visitors to Belfast.
Munster, who are away to the Bulls with a semi-final place on offer in this year’s competition, get their season underway on Saturday, 26 September when Glasgow Warriors travel to Limerick for a 5.30pm kick-off.
The first interprovincial derby comes in round 3 when Ulster and Munster lock horns at Affidea Stadium on Saturday, 10 October (5.30pm).
The October Bank Holiday weekend will see Leinster host Munster on Saturday, 24 October (6pm kick-off), while a week later the men in blue travel to Galway for Connacht’s first derby of the campaign on Friday, 30 October (7.45pm).
The Christmas interpros take place on Sunday, 27 December when Connacht make the journey to Belfast to take on Ulster (5.30pm), while Munster and Leinster will do battle at Thomond Park (7.45pm).
The format of the competition remains unchanged, with the top eight teams progressing to quarter-finals that will begin on Friday, 28 May , with the semi-finals scheduled for a week later, from Saturday, 5 June.
The Grand Final will take place on Saturday, 19 June.
