Rainbow Cup fixtures announced but final plans still unconfirmed

Cross-hemisphere decider could take place in Italy in June

Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

The organisers of the Guinness Pro 14 Rainbow Cup have published the remaining fixtures for rounds four, five and six of the competition, with kick-off times and broadcast details confirmed.

Teams in the northern section of the competition will play a total of five games across six rounds prior to the final, and will receive a bye week on the weekends they were originally scheduled to host a South African team between rounds four to six.

Meanwhile, the South African sides will play a total of six games across seven weeks and take a bye weekend on May 28th.

Supporters in the UK and Ireland can watch all the Rainbow Cup SA action on Eir Sport and Premier Sports.

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However, there is still no indication as to whether the final, scheduled for Saturday, June 19th, will be a cross-hemisphere playoff between the respective winners of the northern and southern sections, or whether there will be a final between the top two in the northern half of the competition.

Apparently the organisers are of a mind to hold a cross-hemisphere final between the respective table toppers, with a venue in Italy being explored as a preferred option. Failing that, then there will presumably be a final between the top two teams in the northern half of the tournament.

ROUND 3

Friday, May 14 th
Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, 6pm
Leinster v Ulster, RDS, 8.15pm

Saturday, May 15th
Lions v Stormers, Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg 1.30pm (12.30pm Irish time)
Scarlets v Cardiff Blues, Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, 3pm
Benetton v Zebre, Stadio de Monigo, Treviso, 6.15pm (5.15pm Irish time)
Bulls v Sharks, Loftus Versfeld Stadium, 6.15pm (5.15pm Irish time)
Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors, Muurayfield, 7.35pm

Sunday, May 16th
Dragons v Ospreys, Rodney Parade, 1pm

ROUND 4

Saturday, May 22nd
Sharks v Stormers, Kings Park, Durban, 1pm (Noon Irish time)
Lions v Bulls, Emirates Airlines Park, 3.30pm (2.30pm Irish time)

Friday, May 28th
Munster v Cardiff Blues, Thomond Park, 7.35pm

Saturday, May 29th
Ulster v Scarlets, Kingspan Stadium, 3pm
Benetton v Connacht, Stadio di Monigo, 6.15pm (5.15pm Irish time)
Dragons v Glasgow Warriors, TBC, 7.35pm

ROUND 5

Friday, June 4th
Bulls v Stormers, Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, 7pm (6pm Irish time)
Connacht v Ospreys, The Sportsground, 6pm
Glasgow Warriors v Leinster, Scotstoun, 8.15pm

Saturday, June 5th
Edinburgh v Ulster, Murrayfield, TBC
Lions v Sharks, Emirates Airlines Park, 4pm (3pm Irish time)
Cardiff Blues v Zebre, Cardiff Arms Park, TBC

ROUND 6

Friday, June 11th
Zerbe v Munster, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma, 7pm (6pm Irish time)
Leinster v Dragons, RDS, 8.15pm

Saturday, June 12th
Stormers v Lions, Cape Town Stadium (4pm /3pm Irish time)
Sharks v Bulls, Kings Park, 6.15pm (5.15pm)
Ospreys v Benetton, TBC, 7.35pm

Sunday, June 13th
Scarlets v Edinburgh, Parc y Scarlets, 1pm

Gerry Thornley

Gerry Thornley

Gerry Thornley is Rugby Correspondent of The Irish Times