Coaches and captains of all 12 clubs were present in North London as the season, which kicks off on Friday September 5, was officially opened.
With the World Cup just a year away, the GUINNESS PRO12 will see 227 internationals from 14 countries doing battle over the course of the campaign.
And Al Kellock, skipper of last season's beaten finalists Glasgow Warriors, is licking his lips at the prospect of starting proceedings against two-time reigning champions Leinster.
"It was a great day but from our point of view it was obviously disappointing to lose it," he reflected. "The whole city is looking forward to the first game.
"It has been a good few years for us and we have gradually been getting better and better.
"We have got a few lessons we need to learn, mostly from Leinster, over the last couple of years."
Ireland No.8 Jamie Heaslip will captain Leinster, who were 34-12 winners over the Warriors at the RDS in May.
As well as hoping to inspire the Irish province to a third straight league title, Heaslip is looking forward to another competitive season in Europe.
"We have seen the quality over the last couple of years of the sides coming out of the PRO12 in Europe and going head-to-head with teams from other nations," he said.
"I am just biting at the bit to get involved. The Glasgow game will be pretty exciting - it is always a good bash with the lads over there."
Fellow Irish outfits Munster and Ulster made up last season's play-off quartet, with Welsh outfit Ospreys narrowly missing out in fifth.
And Ulster, who lifted the trophy in 2012, can go one better this time around according to skipper Rory Best.
He said: "It is a fresh start for us and we have a very exciting young back line, along with the two older boys - Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble.
"We have come close on a few occasions and probably just fallen short on a little bit of experience and tactical nous in the big games."
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