RUGBY/Celtic League: Celtic Cup holders Ulster will start their Celtic League campaign with a trip to Scotland for a rematch of last season's Celtic Cup final against Edinburgh Rugby, a match they won 27-21 at Murrayfield.

Ulster's triumph ensured one of Celtic rugby's top trophies came to Ireland for the third successive season.

Leinster and Munster were the first two winners of the three-nation tournament, but Welsh side Llanelli Scarlets denied Ulster the double by beating them at Stradey Park in a thrilling finale to the first full season of home and away Celtic League fixtures to finish as champions.

While new Ulster coach Mark McCall will start his campaign against Frank Hadden's Edinburgh side at Meadowbank on Saturday, September 4th, the Scarlets will commence their defence at The Borders the night before - giving new Borders coach Steve Bates a tough opening assignment.

Edinburgh's task will be to overturn three defeats by Ulster in the league and cup last season when they host them again. Ulster were 41-3 victors in the equivalent league fixture at Meadowbank last season and they won the return home tie at Ravenhill comfortably enough, 37-0.

Munster face a tricky away start against a much-improved Ospreys side on Friday, September 3th, Connacht entertain Glasgow in Galway the next day, while Leinster will host Cardiff Blues in Dublin in their first Sunday fixture in the competition.

The second and third weekends of the league have been turned into domestic affairs with the competition taking on the appearance of the interprovincial series of by-gone days.

Ulster's home record will come under threat from Leinster, and Munster will receive Connacht in round two, while Ulster will travel to Connacht and Munster to Leinster in round three.