Guinness were officially confirmed today as the new sponsors of the Pro12 tournament succeeding Dutch on line bank RaboDirect, who had given their name to the competition for the past three years.
The Diageo owned brand already boasts a high profile in rugby, both in Ireland and globally, through their sponsorship of the Irish internationals in the November Test series at the Aviva stadium and their presence as official beer to the British & Irish Lions, Rugby World Cup and the English Premiership to name but three.
They have signed a two year deal to sponsor the Pro12 with an option to extend that contract.
Celtic Rugby also today announced the Pro12 fixtures for next season (2014-2015) with the opening weekend staging a repeat of last year's final between Leinster and the Glasgow Warriors at the RDS; albeit that this game takes place in Scotstoun.
Munster host Edinburgh on the same weekend, Ulster, under interim coach Les Kiss travel to the Scarlets, while Connacht welcome the Newport Gwent Dragons to the Sportsground.
One of the competition’s biggest rivalries gets a first airing when Leinster host Munster at the Aviva stadium on the weekend of October 3rd/4th/5th. Munster face Ulster at Thomond Park on the last weekend in November.
The Christmas period once again throws up a host of interprovincial matches starting with Leinster’s clash with Connach at the RDS (December 20th/21st/22nd). Munster welcome Leinster to Thomond Park (December 26th/27th/28th) on the same weekend that Ulster face Connacht.
On the first weekend in January 2015 (2nd/3rd/4th) Leinster entertain Ulster at the RDS and Connacht are at home to Munster in Galway. Ulster host Leinster and Munster at the newly named Kingspan stadium on successive weekends in late April and early May.
There is no break betwen the end of the league proper stage of the tournament and the playoffs with the semi-final and final following on from the last round of matches.
The full list of fixtures is available on www.pro12rugby.com
