The times and dates of the opening three rounds of the Championship before Christmas have been confirmed, starting on Saturday, November 16th with Connacht Eagles v Leinster ‘A’

The red card variation ensures that players deemed to commit deliberate and dangerous offences receive the full sanctioning and subsequent disciplinary process, with the team being reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the game.

Leinster are set to be without a number of younger players as a squad is set to make their way to South Africa in two weeks time.

The media magnate and former rugby star died on Saturday aged 88.