Wayne Pivac has one last opportunity to add European silverware to the Guinness PRO12 title he won in 2017 before he takes over as Wales head coach after the Rugby World Cup. Their Pool 4 campaign on Saturday 13 October before a six day turnaround to face two-time champions Leicester Tigers.
 A festive double header against Ulster Rugby on Friday 7 December and Friday 14 December will be pivotal if they are to reach the knockout stages for a second successive season before they finish by welcoming Leicester and travelling to Paris for the pool stage finale against Racing.
Champions Cup rugby returns to the capital for the first time in four years this season but Cardiff Blues fans will have to wait to see the return of the elite competition as they face a tricky trip to France to face Lyon in round one on Sunday 14 October.
If they can win their opening game the capital region will get the opportunity to push on for a place in the knockout stages with a home clash against PRO14 rivals Glasgow Warriors on Sunday 21 October.
But then comes the ultimate test with a double header against Saracens, who won back-to-back Champions Cups in 2016 and 2017. Return legs against Glasgow and Lyon will complete Pool 3 as John Mulvihill aims to make an instant impact at the Cardiff Arms Park.
Ospreys begin their assault on Challenge Cup at the Liberty Stadium against Pau on Saturday 13 October before travelling to Worcester a week later. They have the chance to get revenge on Stade Francais after they knocked them out at the quarter-final stage in 2017 over two games, before they welcome Worcester and travel to Pau for in round 6.
The Dragons begin their European adventure with a trip to Romania to take-on Timisoara Saracens before a welcoming Premiership big-hitters Northampton Saints to Rodney Parade on Friday 19 October. They then face the Dan Biggar’s Saints at Franklin’s Gardens before travelling to one of the most famous stadia in European rugby to take on the stars of ASM Clermont Auvergne. Bernard Jackman’s side welcome Timisoara before finishing with another clash with the French big-hitters.
