Munster will face The Border at home, while Edinburgh Gunners will travel away to face Llanelli Scarlets.

Glasgow Warriors open their campaign at Hughenden against Newport Gwent Dragons.

But the 2005-2006 campaign was almost the season that wasn’t after a bitter dispute erupted between the Welsh Rugby Union and their counterparts in Ireland and Scotland.

Wales were expelled from the Celtic League competition on May 31 after joining a new Anglo-Welsh Cup competition.

The Anglo-Welsh Cup was designed to replace the Powergen Cup in the English domestic calendar but its creation required Welsh clubs being free of Celtic League fixtures for five weekends of the season.

The Irish and Scottish unions were incensed by the decision which would wrecked the tournament.

But, after discussions in June, the three unions reached agreement on the future structure of the Celtic League with several games being played in midweek.

Celtic League director David Jordan said: “We are delighted to announce such a competitive fixture list with Heineken Cup qualification at stake for all the Irish, Scottish and Welsh clubs and we look forward to some super Celtic rugby over the coming months.”