Dragons, Cardiff Blues, Ospreys and Scarlets now know who they will face when the 2020/21 campaign begins next weekend.
John Mulvihill’s side will be the first Welsh team in action when they travel to Italy to face Zebre on Friday, October 2. Dean Ryan’s Dragons also face defending champions Leinster that evening.
A day later – Saturday, October 3 – Scarlets will take on Munster in Llanelli in a repeat of the 2016-17 final while Edinburgh will host Toby Booth’s Ospreys in the Scottish capital.
The first Monday night game will occur in round three when Munster host Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park on October 26.
In total, 14 Monday night fixtures will take place between rounds three and eight with scheduling aimed at preventing direct clashes with the extended international calendar.
With the finale of the Guinness Six Nations and the Autumn Nations Cup taking place from October through to early December, the majority of PRO14 fixtures during this time will take place on Sundays and Mondays.
Rounds nine, 10 and 11 of the PRO14 will feature the fierce derby matches across the UK, Ireland and Italy and the scheduling for those games will occur in due course.
Dominic McKay, chairman of PRO14 Rugby, said: “Thanks to the buy-in and support from our teams and broadcasters, we believe we have delivered an innovative solution to the challenges posed to us by the international rugby calendar.
“Playing on Monday nights provides the Guinness PRO14 with a unique platform in the rugby market and enables us to make the most of playing through such a busy time for our sport.
“The task of assembling these fixtures in such a short space of time has been immense given the parameters involved and I’d like to thank tournament director David Jordan and his team for their tireless work to get us to this point.”
Martin Anayi, CEO of PRO14 Rugby, said: “In a time of such uncertainty we are incredibly grateful to our broadcast partners and sponsors for their continued support.
“No business has been unaffected by the pandemic, but the team spirit and willingness displayed by our broadcasters, our title sponsor Guinness and partners such as Gilbert and Macron, has really encouraging.
“Sport is as important as it ever has been in society. Our partners recognise that and are keen to play a vital role in keeping rugby front and centre.”
The first 11 rounds of PRO14 action will not involve South African sides Cheetahs and Southern Kings owing to Covid-19 travel restrictions from the Rainbow Nation.
Plans are in place for two South African sides to join the competition in 2021, but they will not play a full schedule and the South African Rugby Union is looking for a replacement for the Southern Kings.
Welsh regional fixtures for first two rounds of Guinness PRO14 fixtures 2020-21
Round 1
Friday, Oct 2: Zebre v Cardiff Blues (6pm), Leinster v Dragons (8.15pm)
Saturday, Oct 3: Scarlets v Munster (3pm), Edinburgh v Ospreys (7.35pm)
Round 2
Fri, Oct 9: Dragons v Zebre (8.15pm)
Sat, Oct 10: Ospreys v Ulster (5.15pm), Glasgow v Scarlets (5.15pm), Cardiff Blues v Connacht (7.35pm)
CLICK HERE for Scarlets fixtures
CLICK HERE for Dragons fixtures
CLICK HERE for Ospreys fixtures
CLICK HERE for Cardiff Blues fixtures
