Tandy ready for PRO12 challenge

It's the third consecutive season that the Italians have provided the opposition on the opening day, but the first time that the region has kicked off the season at the Liberty Stadium since 2011 having got the campaign underway in northern Italy in 2012 and 2013.

Round 2 sees the first Welsh derby of the season when the Ospreys travel to Rodney Parade to face Newport Gwent Dragons, with the first home derby coming on the weekend of 10/11/12 October when Cardiff Blues visit the Liberty on the final PRO12 weekend before the European Rugby Champions Cup gets underway.

Following the success of the festive double headers last season, the first time that the regions have gone head to head in back-to-back home and away fixtures, the concept is back again this season with the Scarlets coming to Ospreylia on 26/27/28 December. The Ospreys then head west a week later.

The Dragons come to the Liberty for the third and final home derby match on 9/10/11 January, again providing a welcome warm-up before the team go back into Europe. The end of season run-in includes an away trip to face Cardiff Blues at the end of April and a home game against Glasgow on the penultimate weekend, before the Ospreys end the campaign away to Connacht.

The play-offs will take place on consecutive weeks at the end of May, with semi-finals on the weekend of 22/23/24 and the final a week later.

Reflecting on the fixture list Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said that the team can't wait to get back into action:

"When the fixture list comes in, it allows us to really put some focus into our preparations as we can now structure our work with specific games in mind, ensuring that we are ready to go when Treviso come to the Liberty Stadium at the start of September.

"It's great to start off at home in front of our own supporters four months after our last game at the Liberty. We'll be looking to hit the ground running in the opening weeks and lay down a marker for the rest of the season.

"This is a very difficult league with 12 teams all capable of beating each other so it is crucial that we get off to a good start and build momentum. There's a real buzz about the place at the moment, with new signings and youngsters stepping up into the group, and we will welcome back the internationals in 10 days which will give another boost to the environment.

"The reality is that with the new European competition, with only 20 teams, and the new qualification process from the PRO12, there is very little margin for error. Every game counts and that is how it should be in professional sport. That's exciting for us as coaches and players, and the supporters should be excited as well. We need them to be with us from the first game, and to stick with us through all the ups and downs, as that is what supporters do. We have a group of players that is young, talented, and entirely committed to the cause, but they can't do this on their own.

"They need the backing of our supporters if they are going to achieve their full potential over the next two or three years, starting with this season, starting with Treviso home."

Ospreys fixtures in full:

5/6/7 Sep Ospreys v Benetton Treviso
12/13/14 Sep NG Dragons v Ospreys
19/20/21 Sep Ospreys v Edinburgh
26/27/28 Sep Munster v Ospreys
3/4/5 Oct Ospreys v Zebre
10/11/12 Oct Ospreys v Cardiff Blues
31 Oct/1/2 Nov Ospreys v Connacht
21/22/23 Nov Ulster v Ospreys
28/29/30 Nov Leinster v Ospreys
19/20/21 Dec Ospreys v Ulster
26/27/28 Dec Ospreys v Scarlets
2/3/4 Jan Scarlets v Ospreys
9/10/11 Jan Ospreys v NG Dragons
13/14/15 Feb Edinburgh v Ospreys
20/21/22 Feb Glasgow v Ospreys
27/28 Feb/1 Mar Ospreys v Leinster
6/7/8 Mar Ospreys v Munster
27/28/29 Mar Zebre v Ospreys
10/11/12 Apr Benetton Treviso v Ospreys
24/25/26 Apr Cardiff Blues v Ospreys
8/9/10 May Ospreys v Glasgow
15/16/17 May Connacht v Ospreys

Season memberships covering all 11 home PRO12 fixtures plus three home games in the European Rugby Champions Cup and two home games in the LV= Cup, remain available to buy at the Liberty Stadium Ticket Office or online at ospreys rugby.com/buytickets.

Adult prices start at just £190 for adults, that's less than £12 a match, £150 (senior citizens and students) or £55 for children. If you want to spread the cost over four months a credit option is available, please speak directly to the Ticket Office on 0844 815 6665.