Leinster kick off Celtic League at home

Leinster will open their defence of the Celtic League title with a home tie against Welsh Cup winners Pontypridd on the weekend of August 30/31.

Reggie Corrigan’s side lifted the inaugural title last December when they beat arch-rivals Munster 24-20 in front of a 30,000-strong Lansdowne Road crowd.

Leinster, the only side to go through the first season of the Celtic League with a 100% record, will also face Bridgend, Cardiff, Connacht, Glasgow, Newport and the newly formed Scottish Borders in Pool B.

The Scottish side, who have recently recruited Gregor Townsend, Gary Armstrong, Doddie Weir and George Graham, are a new addition to the tournament, making it 16-strong for 2002-03 as opposed to the 15 teams who lined up last season.

Another change to the format will see the semi-finals and final being played in the new year, with the final being staged two weeks before the start of the Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship.

Heineken Cup finalists Munster - in Pool A - are away to Welsh champions Llanelli.

Pool A includes Caerphilly, Ebbw Vale, Edinburgh Rugby, Neath, Swansea and Ulster.