Rugby:Champions Old Belvedere will kick off the defence of their Ulster Bank League campaign on October 1st with a trip to Young Munster while newly promoted Lansdowne will hosts last season's beaten finalists Cork Constitution.

There will be a significant increase in the number of floodlight matches across all four divisions, which proved hugely popular with clubs and supporters last season.

Friday Night Lights at the elite level begins in round three on Friday, October 14th when Lansdowne host Belvedere at the Aviva stadium. That night also heralds a Cork derby in Musgrave Park when Dolphin and Cork Constitution renew old rivalries.

The new look Ulster Bank League sees ten teams in Division 1A and Division 1B with 15 teams each in Divisions 2A and 2B. There are four new teams in the Ulster Bank League with Boyne, Cashel, Armagh and Sligo joining the ranks.