Ospreys

• The Ospreys will begin the defence of their Magners League title away at Cardiff Blues on Friday, 31 August.

Llanelli Scarlets will host Newport Gwent Dragons the following day. The fixtures will be reversed on the following weekend as the Welsh regions start the new campaign two weeks before the Irish and Scottish sides. The first full round of fixtures will be on the weekend 21/22/23 September with only Cardiff Blues enjoying home advantage, hosting Glasgow Warriors.

The Ospreys will be in Ulster, the Dragons in Connacht and the Scarlets away against Munster.

“Successive weekends of Welsh derby matches will provide a fantastic start to the new tournament for Welsh fans and it will be a great bridge between the three August internationals and the World Cup itself,” said Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive Roger Lewis. “It will be an invaluable proving ground for the young talent coming through at regional level and will give the four coaches the ideal build-up to the Heineken Cup competition in November.” FIXTURES AUG/SEPT 2007

The Magners League gets underway when Cardiff Blues entertain the Ospreys at Cardiff Arms Park. Both teams will be without many of the star players due to World Cup call-ups…..12 from the Ospreys and 5 from Cardiff so it will be a test of the strength of both squads. Former Osprey Jason Spice is expected to make his debut for the Blues with Mark Taylor also making his debut for the Ospreys. No Gavin Henson for the Ospreys as he is still recovering from illness. One for you trivia fans….this will be the first Magners League game where a video ref. will be used.