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The expanded Guinness Pro 14 Championship kicks-off today. The league will have three Friday matches in week 1 with the remaining four being played on Saturday. Despite it now being a competition involving teams from five nations, only Ireland and Wales host matches in week 1.
An explanation of the new-look competition can be seen by clicking here.
A season preview can be seen by clicking here.
The season will open in Belfast, Cork and Cardiff simultaneously. Of the three the first of these will see Ulster at home to the Cheetahs. The Northern Irish province is still home to the USA eligible Callum Black. The uncapped prop will feature from the bench this evening.
In the Welsh capital the Cardiff Blues welcome Edinburgh. Missing is Eagles fullback, Blaine Scully. He will have to wait to play his first match of the season for a later round.
In southern Ireland Munster host Benetton Treviso. Taking place at Irish Independence Park, the home side will be targeting a big win to start their campaign. Argentine center Juan Ignacio Brex will need to wait for a future opportunity before making his debut for Treviso.
On Saturday the reigning champions, the Scarlets will have home advantage. They take on the Southern Kings, a side to have performed well in the 2017 Super Rugby season. Leigh Halfpenny makes his debut, an exciting fact for Welsh supporters. It, however, comes with both Liam Williams and DTH van der Merwe no longer playing for the region.
Fellow West Wales region, the Ospreys play at home to Zebre. The Swansea-based side have named Jeff Hassler to start on the left wing. The Canadian had a torrid season in 2016-17 with injuries restricting his opportunities. He has not played for Canada since the World Cup.
In the Eastern Wales city of Newport the newly rebranded Dragons play host to Leinster. It is a prime opportunity for the visitors to return to Ireland with valuable away competition points.
Closing week 2 will be a match in western Ireland. Connacht are to host Scottish side, the Glasgow Warriors. Eagles second row Greg Peterson will have an opportunity for game time. He has been named as a replacement forward.
