Edinburgh Rugby to kick-off against Munster

Edinburgh Rugby will open their Pro 12 season against Munster for a third successive year.

On the day Guinness were officially confirmed as the league’s sponsors – as revealed by the Evening News on Tuesday – the new fixtures were announced, with Alan Solomons’ men facing a trip across the Irish Sea to launch their campaign on September 5, 6 or 7.

Edinburgh’s debut at BT Murrayfield will be on the second weekend, almost certainly Friday, September 12 and the fixture list has granted a home tie, against Cardiff, on the weekend that the competition returns from a brief break with Scotland due in Autumn Test action against Tonga.

The annual derby clashes with Glasgow will see Edinburgh visit Scotstoun over the Christmas break with Gregor Townsend’s side travelling along the M8 at New Year when fixtures are listed on January 2, 3 or 4.

No details of the financial arrangements with Guinness have been revealed after RaboDirect turned down a third year as sponsors.

But Dominic McKay, Scottish Rugby’s director of commercial operations, communications and public affairs, said in a statement: “Scottish Rugby welcomes this new deal with Guinness.

“It’s great news for Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby to have such a strong and iconic brand on board as title sponsor of the PRO12.”

McKay, who is also a PRO12 board member and chairman of the commercial committee of the PRO12, added: “Along with the new Sky Sports partnership, this sponsorship deal will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the profile of the league.”

John Feehan, chief executive, GUINNESS PRO12 said: “We are delighted that Guinness, an international brand with a strong pedigree in rugby, will be our title sponsor and we are looking forward to working with Guinness in actively developing the profile and stature of our competition which boasts some of the biggest names in world rugby.”

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27836155

Edinburgh Rugby to kick-off against Munster