Magners League Fixtures
Edinburgh Gunners face an away trip in the first week of the newly -christened Magners League, taking on the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on the weekend beginning Friday 1 September.
The Gunners then return home to Murrayfield for their next two matches, against last season's runners-up Leinster and the current champions, Ulster. In week five of the competition, they face their first game of the season against local rivals Glasgow Warriors.
The Magners League is the new name for the Celtic League, as Magners Irish Cider were today announced as the first sponsors of the competition, until 2008.
Looking ahead to the opening fixtures, interim head coach Henry Edwards is determined the Gunners set a winning tone. He said: "Our main challenge at the moment is that first game and we are working hard to get into the best possible shape so we're competitive straight away."
"The Ospreys game will be tough not only because it's away from home, but they've recruited well over the summer. It's good to then have two home games in a row although they're against the two Irish sides that topped the league last season. Connacht are tough over there, but Edinburgh have been successful in the past and then we look forward to the challenge of meeting our first Scottish opposition."
Edinburgh Gunners will also play two matches as part of their pre-season preparations, playing to host to Leeds Tykes on Friday 18 August at Murrayfield, kick-off 7.30pm. They then take on Guinness Premiership champions Sale Sharks on Friday 25 August at Edgeley Park, kick-off 7.45pm.
Fixture times for Magners League games have yet to be confirmed, but Edinburgh's home games will be on Friday nights with a 7.30pm kick-off unless television and broadcasting commitments stipulate otherwise.
Edinburgh Gunners fixtures, times and dates to be confirmed:
Weekend beginning
Fri 1 Sep Ospreys v Gunners @ Liberty Stadium
Fri 8 Sep Gunners v Leinster @ Murrayfield
Fri 15 Sep Gunners v Ulster @ Murrayfield
Fri 22 Sep Connacht v Gunners @ Sportsground
Fri 29 Sep Gunners v Warriors @ Murrayfield
Fri 6 Oct Free weekend
Fri 13 Oct Munster v Gunners @ tba
Fri 3 Nov Gunners v Blues @ Murrayfield
Fri 10 Nov Dragons v Gunners @ Rodney Parade
Fri 1 Dec Gunners v Reivers @ Murrayfield
Fri 22 Dec Warriors v Gunners @ tba
Fri 29 Dec Free weekend
Fri 5 Jan Gunners v Scarlets @ Murrayfield
Fri 26 Jan Gunners v Connacht @ Murrayfield
Fri 16 Feb Leinster v Gunners @ tba
Fri 2 Mar Gunners v Ospreys @ Murrayfield
Fri 23 Mar Reivers v Gunners @ Netherdale
Fri 6 Apr Gunners v Dragons @ Murrayfield
Fri 13 Apr Blues v Gunners @ Arms Park
Fri 27 Apr Scarlets v Gunners @ Stradey Park
Fri 4 May Gunners v Munster @ Murrayfield
Fri 11 May Ulster v Gunners @ Ravenhill