All You Need To Know | Rainbow Cup

The Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup kicks off this weekend as Munster start the new competition with fixtures against old rivals Leinster, Ulster and Connacht in the opening three rounds.

The 16 teams involved in the competition are drawn from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy and South Africa.

DHL Stormers, Cell C Sharks, Vodacom Bulls and Emirates Lions are the four new sides from South Africa.

Munster will face three Interpro derbies in April and May with confirmation for Rounds 4-6 to follow once PRO14 Rugby has received all necessary approvals and permissions from the relevant governments and health authorities for the South African teams to travel.

The Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup final is scheduled for the weekend of June 19.

Munster’s Rainbow Cup Fixtures

Saturday, April 24

Leinster v Munster, The RDS, 7.35pm;

Friday, May 7

Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 8.15pm;

Friday, May 14

Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, 6pm;

Round 4: Weekend of May 29.

Round 5: Weekend of June 5.

Round 6: Weekend of June 12.

Did you know?

Three innovative law variations have been approved by World Rugby for use in the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup – Red Card Replacements, Captain’s Challenge and Goal-line drop-outs.

See full details here.

Where?

The opening three rounds will be played across Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and South Africa.

When?

Six rounds of fixtures will be played across eight weekends with the top two sides squaring off in the final on the weekend of June 19.

The first game of the competition sees DHL Stormers and Cell C Sharks face off this Friday, April 23, at 6pm.

Broadcast

Munster’s opening three games will all be live on eir Sport with deferred coverage on TG4.

Videos

Watch our in-depth interview with Conor Murray on his career to date.