WITH ALL FOUR provinces fully into the slog of pre-season, the warm-up friendlies ahead of the 2015/16 campaign are already in view.
The first game involving an Irish side takes place in just over a fortnight, so we’ve run through the confirmed fixture list for the provinces this pre-season.
Munster
Anthony Foley’s squad have already moved past the shock of Paul O’Connell’s confirmed transfer to Toulon, and their pre-season is ticking along well under the watchful eye of head of fitness, Aled Walters.
Their friendly schedule begins with the visit of Top 14 outfit Grenoble to Thomond Park. Foley’s men then face Connacht for a second warm-up game on 21 August, one which takes place during the Limerick World Club 7s, before finishing with a clash against London Irish in Cork.
- Grenoble [H], Thomond Park, 14 August, 19.00
- Connacht [H], Thomond Park, 21 August, 19.45
- London Irish [H], Musgrave Park, 28 August, 19.00
Leinster
As they continue pre-season under the guidance of interim head coach Leo Cullen, Leinster are building towards their opening friendly fixture against Ulster at Kinsgpan Stadium on 21 August.
A week later, on 28 August, the eastern province welcome English Championship side Moseley to Donnybrook. Former Ireland centre Kevin Maggs is director of rugby at Moseley, while ex-Ireland U19 back row Joe Bercis is part of their squad.
- Ulster [A], Kinsgpan Stadium, 21 August, 19.30
- Moseley [H], Donnybrook, 28 August, 19.30
Connacht
After the disappointment of missing out on Champions Cup qualification last season, Pat Lam’s men will hit the new season with renewed intent to finish inside the top six of the Guinness Pro12.
The westerners host Bernard Jackman’s Grenoble at the Sportsground on Friday, 7 August, while inter-provincial rivals Munster welcome Lam’s side to Limerick on 21 August.
Sandwiched in between those fixtures is a five-day training camp in France, which culminates in a meeting with Castres at Saint-Affrique on 14 August.
- Grenoble [H], Sportsground, 7 August, 17.15
- Castres [A], Saint-Affrique, 14 August, 20.00 (local time)
- Munster [A], Thomond Park, 21 August, 19.45
Ulster
Director of Rugby Les Kiss won’t take up his position until after the World Cup, but head coach Neil Doak is preparing his men for a strong start to the 2015/16 campaign, hopeful that injury problems can be avoided this time around.
Ulster host Leinster at Kingspan on 21 August, before taking on another Pro12 side a week later, when they travel to Goldenacre to face Alan Solomons’ Edinburgh.
- Leinster [H], Kingspan Stadium, 21 August, 19.30
- Edinburgh [A], Goldenacre, 28 August, 18.30
- This piece was updated at 11.43 to include Connacht’s visit to France to take on Castres.
