The Magners League fixtures for the 2007/08 season have been announced, and will see the Cardiff Blues play the champions Ospreys at home in the first match of the season on the weekend of the 1st of September.
The Blues will then take on the Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade the following weekend before the Scottish and Irish teams join the competition on 22nd of September.
Speaking after the fixtures were announced Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby David Young said:
Our opening fixture will be a tough match as we welcome the champions Ospreys to the Arms Park, but having said that, we were obviously very pleased to go through all of last season undefeated at the Arms Park in the league.
Our home form has been very good but we need to improve in our away matches if we are to challenge as strongly in the league as we did last year.
I think the Rugby World Cup will affect most of the teams in the Magners League but its up to the players who arent involved to step up and prove they can really challenge for a place when the international players return.
The 2007/8 Magners League will conclude with final round being played on the weekend of 10th May, and, as in previous years, the fixtures have been scheduled so as to avoid a clash with the RBS 2008 Six Nations Championship.
David Jordan, Director of Celtic Rugby said: We saw record attendances at Magners League games last season, with many fixtures selling out, and we will be hoping to build on that success. With qualification for the Heineken Cup at stake every game is meaningful to the teams concerned and, as we have seen over the last couple of years, the championship decider can go right down to the last day of the season.
Maurice Breen, Marketing Director of WM Magner Ltd added, "Following the successful inaugural season of the Magners League, the fixture list for 2007-2008 has lined up what promises to be another season of sell-out, exciting and competitive matches which will continue to showcase the fantastic brand of rugby played in the Magners League - something we very much look forward to"
Season Tickets for the Cardiff Blues cost as little as £30 for juniors and £160 for adults. Season tickets offer outstanding value for money and include the nine Magner's League matches at the Arms Park as well as the three Heineken Cup pool matches and EDF Energy Cup pool match. To purchase a season ticket, contact the Cardiff Blues Ticket Office on 029 2030 2030.
The dates and kick-off times of individual matches will be confirmed as soon as known.
Date Opposition Location
01-Sep Ospreys Home
08-Sep Dragons Away
15-Sep FREE
22-Sep Glasgow Home
29-Sep Leinster Home
06-Oct Munster Away
3-Oct Connacht Home
20-Oct FREE
26-Oct Sale Sharks Home EDF
03-Nov Leicester Away EDF
11-Nov Round 1Heineken Cup
17-Nov Round 2 Heineken Cup
24-Nov Glasgow Away
01-Dec Bath Away EDF
08-Dec Round 3 Heineken Cup
15-Dec Round 4 Heineken Cup
22-Dec Dragons Home
29-Dec Ospreys Away
05-Jan Edinburgh Home
12-Jan Round 5
19-Jan Round 6
26-Jan FREE
02-Feb FREE
09-Feb FREE
16-Feb Leinster Away
23-Feb FREE
01-Mar Munster Home
08-Mar FREE
15-Mar FREE
22-Mar Scarlets Away
29-Mar Edinburgh Away
05-Apr Quarter Finals Heineken Cup
12-Apr Scarlets Home
19-Apr Ulster Home
26-Apr Semi Finals Heineken Cup
03-May Connacht Away
10-May Ulster Away
24-May Final Heineken Cup