NEWPORT Gwent Dragons face a tough start to the new RaboDirect Pro 12 season with the visit to Rodney Parade of last season’s play-off finalists Ulster.

As well as topping the league prior to the play-offs, they were Heineken Cup quarter finalists, losing 27-16 away to Saracens.

Next up for the Dragons is a tricky trip north to Edinburgh before the visit of Welsh rivals the Scarlets, who also made the play-offs last season.

Full fixtures: Sept 6/7/8 Ulster (H); Sept 13/14/15 Edinburgh (A); Sept 20/21/22 Scarlets (H); Sept 27/28/29 Munster (A); Oct 4/5/6 Zebre (H); Oct 25/26/27 Ospreys (A); Nov 1/2/3 Leinster (H); Nov 22/23/24/ Glasgow (A); Nov 29/30/Dec1 Munster (H); Dec 20/21/22 Connacht (A); Dec 27/28/29 Cardiff Blues (H); Jan 3/4/5 Cardiff Blues (A); Feb 7/8/9 Edinburgh (H); Feb14/15/16 Leinster (A); Feb 21/22/23 Glasgow (H); Feb 28/March 1/2 Ulster (A); March 21/22/23 Connacht (H); March 28/29/30 Zebre (A); April 11/12/13 Treviso (A); April 18/19/20 Ospreys (Millennium Stadium); May 2/3/4 Scarlets (A); May 9/10/11 Treviso (H)