Guiness Deal Confirmed for the Pro12

Guinness has replaced RaboDirect as the sponsor of the Pro12 league ahead of the 2014/15 season.

The announcement came on the same day the fixture list was released for the new campaign which starts on the weekend of September 5.

Last season's top two face off in round one as defending champions Leinster travel to Glasgow.

New Cardiff Blues head coach Mark Hammett will begin his competitive tenure in charge with a trip to Italy to face Zebre.

Elsewhere, Scarlets host Ulster and Munster welcome Edinburgh while Connacht and Ospreys are also at home to Newport and Treviso respectively.

The Christmas and New Year schedule will be expected to draw large crowds again with back-to-back derbies pitching Newport against Cardiff and Scarlets against Ospreys.