GLASGOW Warriors have been given the honour of playing the opening game of this season’s European Champions Cup, when they welcome Leicester Tigers to Scotstoun on 14 October. The Pool 1 fixture is the only game in the opening round of group fixtures that will take place on the Friday night, with the other matches being spread over Saturday and Sunday.

The Warriors are away to Munster eight days later in round two, then visit Racing 92, the French champions and last season’s losing finalists, in December’s third round. The traditional back-to-back pattern of the third and fourth rounds sees Racing come to Scotland for the return match nine days before Christmas.

In the European Challenge Cup, Edinburgh Rugby’s opening match in Pool 5 is against Timisoara in Romania on 15 October. They welcome Harlequins to BT Murrayfield a week later, and are also at home in round three, against Stade Francais in December. They then make the journey to Paris the following Thursday for their last match before European competition has its Christmas break.

The dates, kick-off times and a television schedule for the final two rounds of pool fixtures in both competitions will be announced after the completion of round four. Glasgow’s final games will be at home to Munster and away to Leicester, while Edinburgh will visit Harlequins then play Timisoara at Myreside in their remaining two games.

FIXTURES (all times local):

Champions Cup Pool 1: Friday 14 October Glasgow Warriors v Leicester Tigers (Scotstoun 7.45pm). Saturday 22 October Munster v Glasgow (Thomond Park 1pm). Saturday 10 December Racing 92 v Glasgow (Stade Yves du Manoir 3.15). Friday 16 December Glasgow v Racing 92 (Scotstoun 7.45pm).

Challenge Cup Pool 5: Saturday 15 October Timisoara Saracens v Edinburgh (Dan Paltinisanu Stadium 1pm). Saturday 22 October: Edinburgh v Harlequins (BT Murrayfield 3.15pm). Saturday 10 December: Edinburgh v Stade Francais (BT Murrayfield 7.45pm). Thursday 15 December: Stade Francais v Edinburgh (Stade Jean Bouin 7.45pm).