Ulster Rugby vs Dragons

Managing Director, PRO12 Rugby

Welcome

Ever since Connacht Rugby put a dazzling final touch on

an historic Guinness PRO12 Championship campaign

in May, the anticipation has been building towards the

start of a truly special season.

As we enter the 16th Championship season, everyone in our new team

at the Guinness PRO12 have been working very hard to make sure this

is our most memorable yet. Following our Fans Survey, we have been

able to introduce a number of new initiatives. First and foremost, we

have altered our fixture list, with regular ‘appointment-to-view’ games

on Friday and Saturdays and removed Sunday fixtures which had

proved unpopular. We have also introduced six ‘Big Weekends’ that

focus on the rivalries and heritage that supporters cherish.

We have also voted in new protocols that ensure that, where possible,

Assistant Referees (AR1) and the Television Match Ocial (TMO) are

both neutral as a first step to developing a fully neutral match-ocial

selection policy. In addition, we have already seen the impact that

meritocracy has had on our Championship and now that every match

counts we have added to that with our Super Saturday in Round 22,

where local derbies will play a big part in deciding who qualifies for

the semi-finals and the Champions Cup.

Last week at our season launch we confirmed the 2016/17 Guinness

PRO12 Final will be at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on Saturday, May

27. And maintaining our ‘Fans First’ philosophy, we are rewarding

supporters who book tickets to the Championship’s flagship event

before January 2, 2017 the chance to save up to 20% on selected

tickets. Anyone who was at BT Murrayfield for last season’s finale

will tell you what a great day out it was, no matter what team you

supported. I’m sure that Dublin will be no dierent, so be sure to book

your ticket early.

We are also delighted to have announced that Guinness will continue

their title sponsorship for another four years, this is fantastic news

for the Championship and something that enables us to build upon

moving forward alongside our other existing partners Specsavers and

Rhino Rugby.

You may have also noticed that our website,

has been given a lick of paint, and we have also introduced a new

Guinness PRO12 Fantasy Rugby game – so be sure to sign up and play

against your friends, there are some great prizes to be won.

There are exciting times ahead for the Championship and I would like

to take this opportunity to thank all the sta, coaches and players at

each club for their relentless work throughout the summer. And finally

to you, the fans, for your continued support of the Guinness PRO12.

Enjoy the season,

Martin Anayi