Cardiff Blues will be on parade for a big kick-off to the new season at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday 22 August.

They will play old rivals Leicester Tigers on that date, the eve of the Wales v England international match at the Millennium Stadium.

The double European champions were last at the Arms Park in August 2000 when Cardiff Rugby beat them 29-17 in front of a big crowd. Read match report.

The Blues hope to announce another fixture against top-class Zurich Premiership opposition for the following Friday, 30 August, 24 hours before Wales play Scotland.