The 2018/19 Guinness PRO14 season kicks off this weekend and ahead of what should be an exciting campaign, we have provided you with an ‘everything you need to know’ guide to all the teams.

From new signings to predicted finishes, it’s all included.

Conference A

Cardiff Blues

Overview

The Cardiff Blues just missed out on the playoffs of the inaugural PRO14 last season but overall, their Challenge Cup triumph was a huge achievement for the club. That final against Gloucester was one of the games of the season and supporters will hope that they can compete in the Champions Cup in 2018/19.

John Mulvihill is the region’s new head coach and he comes with a considerable reputation of helping to nurture the talents of players like David Pocock, Matt Giteau and James O’Connor. The Australian will be expected to develop some of the young talent at the club’s disposal.

Head Coach

John Mulvihill

Captain

Ellis Jenkins

New Signings

There has not been too many signings at Cardiff Arms Park but American international Samu Manoa and prop Dmitri Arhip could be key men for the coming season.

Departures

Unfortunately for Cardiff, they have lost Sam Warburton to retirement and Alex Cuthbert’s departure to the Exeter Chiefs is a blow. This loss of considerable experience could hamper them as the season progresses.

Prospects

The Blues will be aiming to qualify for a playoff spot this season but with the likes of Connacht looking to have improved heavily under Andy Friend already, they could be set to miss out again.

In terms of the Champions Cup, they have been handed a tough pool alongside Glasgow Warriors, Lyon and Saracens – don’t expect to see them in the quarter-finals.

Opening Three Fixtures

Leinster (H), Benetton Rugby (A), Zebre (A).

Connacht Rugby

Overview

There’s been a summer of upheaval at Connacht with Kieran Keane being replaced by former Australia 7s head coach, Andy Friend.

The Australian’s arrival has seemed to reinvigorate the western province who now have a 100% record from preseason which included impressive victories over Wasps and Bristol.

Some astute signings and a more relaxed environment could pave the way for an impressive season.

Head Coach

Andy Friend

Captain

Jarrad Butler

New Signings

Connacht have recruited well with the likes of Robin Copeland, David Horwitz, Kyle Godwin, Colby Fainga’a and the rather unknown but exciting quantity that is Sevu Reece.

A lot of these players have considerable Super Rugby experience and this will add considerable depth to a squad which struggled with injuries last season.

Departures

The most high-profile departure, is, of course, club legend John Muldoon. The impact of his loss will not be known until the end of the season but besides this, Jake Heenan, who spent most of last season injured, are the major departures.

Prospects

It’s safe to say that based on signings and preseason form, Connacht will be better than last season. The challenge will be to reverse those narrow losses into victories, a task they will be confident of doing. We could well see them reach the PRO14 quarter-finals in addition to having a good go at the Challenge Cup.

Opening Three Fixtures

Zebre (H), Edinburgh (A), Scarlets (H)

Glasgow Warriors

Overview

A strange season for the Glasgow Warriors last time out. They were the best team during the regular season, finishing with 76 points. However, a dismal performance in the Champions Cup and being comprehensively dismantled by the Scarlets in the PRO14 playoffs left supporters wondering what went wrong.

Head Coach

Dave Rennie

Captain

Ryan Wilson

New Signings

The club have four new signings with DTH van der Merwe and Nick Frisby being the two most high-profile. Van der Merwe should thrive on the artificial surface in Scotstoun while Nick Frisby comes in as a replacement for the departing Henry Pyrgos.

Departures

As previously mentioned, Henry Pyrgos has jumped ship down the road to Edinburgh but the club will miss the quality that Finn Russell brings to their attack as he takes up a stint with Racing 92.

Prospects

Besides Finn Russell’s departure, the Warriors are more or less in the same shape as they were last season but another season under Dave Rennie should yield a further improvement in performances. We would expect them to be challenging Munster for the top spot in Conference A.

Opening Three Fixtures

Connacht (A), Munster (H), Cheetahs (A)

Munster

Overview

Two semi-final losses highlighted two things – Munster are a very good team but lack that extra something to truly challenge for trophies.

With a full preseason under Johann van Graan and some quality additions to the Munster squad, there is genuine optimism that the southern province can finally end their silverware drought.

Head Coach

Johann van Graan

Captain

Peter O’Mahony

New Signings

Joey Carbery and Tadhg Beirne are the two biggest signings which Munster have made but they have also brought in Arno Botha, Mike Haley, Neil Cronin and most recently former All Black Alby Mathewson on a short-term contract.

Departures

Gerbrandt Grobler and Robin Copeland have left for Gloucester and Connacht, respectively. Simon Zebo’s loss to Racing 92 will be a huge blow but if there was one area of the pitch where Munster could lose a top-quality player then it is in the back-three where they are well-stocked.

Prospects

On paper, the signings which Munster have made should elevate them to a new level but challenges remain for Van Graan and his staff. An inability to breakdown the sternest of defences will require some hard work on the training ground as the attack needs some tinkering with.

How the province copes with the loss of Conor Murray for the early part of the season will be crucial too. If they can navigate this successfully and improve their away form, Munster could reach home semi-finals in both competitions this season which will bring them one step closer to glory.

Opening Three Fixtures

Cheetahs (H), Glasgow (A), Ospreys (H)

Ospreys

Overview

The Welsh region had a disruptive time of it last season. Steve Tandy left mid-way through the 2017/18 campaign and he was replaced by the then interim head coach Allen Clarke. The former Ireland hooker has since signed a three-year contract with the club, such was the impression he made on the Ospreys’ hierarchy during the interim period.

Ospreys finished with two wins from their Champions Cup campaign and failed in their qualification for that competition due to a loss in an end-of-season playoff against Ulster.

Supporters will hope that Clarke can turn their fortunes around.

Head Coach

Allen Clarke

Captain

Justin Tipuric

New Signings

The Ospreys have added to their squad with a number of signings from the PRO14 and the Gallagher Premiership but most notably they will have George North and Scott Williams on their roster for the coming season.

Departures

Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb have both left the region for contracts in England and France, respectively. That international quality in key positions has not been replaced which could pose problems for the season ahead.

Prospects

Aled Davies will have big boots to fill as he comes in for the departed Webb while Sam Davies will be the man tasked with guiding his team in the absence of Dan Biggar. The Welsh region still look a bit light up front and we don’t expect them to be going far in the PRO14. The Challenge Cup may provide an avenue back into the Champions Cup next season.

Opening Three Fixtures

Edinburgh (H), Cheetahs (H), Munster (A)

Toyota Cheetahs

Overview

The Cheetahs stunned supporters in their first season in this competition as their running brand of rugby and Bloemfontein fortress saw them reach the playoffs at the first time of asking.

However, some notable departures from their squad and other clubs adapting better to altitude could see them not scale the same heights in 2018/19.

Head Coach

Franco Smith

Captain

Oupa Mohoje

New Signings

The Cheetahs have added numerous players to their squad but many of them have come from their Currie Cup side as the club look to promote from within. Bloemfontein is a hot-bed of rugby in South Africa so we could well see some new stars strut their stuff on the PRO14 stage this season.

Departures

Unfortunately for the Cheetahs, their impressive performances last season have come at a cost as clubs have pilfered some of their best players. Francois Venter, Fred Zelinga, Johan Goosen, Uzair Cassiem and Clayton Blommetjies are all quality players who will be plying their trade elsewhere next season.

Prospects

It’s difficult to judge where the Cheetahs will finish in 2018/19 but if they can continue their excellent home form and improve on their performances in the northern hemisphere, especially when conditions are challenging, they could reach the quarter-finals again.

Opening Three Fixtures

Munster (A), Ospreys (A), Glasgow (H)

Zebre

Overview

Although Zebre finished bottom of Conference A last season, they did record seven wins, more than the Dragons and the Southern Kings combined. A successful season by their standards, Michael Bradley will be looking for further improvement for the campaign ahead.

Head Coach

Michael Bradley

Captain

Tommaso Castello

New Signings And Departures

There is little notable players either in or out the door at Zebre but what this gives Michael Bradley is a further opportunity to develop a settled squad.

Prospects

With many of the sides in Conference A improving, the Italians could still end up propping up the league but we think they will still be as competitive as last season and if they manage to genuinely compete for the playoffs, that would be a massive achievement.

Opening Three Fixtures

Southern Kings (H), Connacht (A), Cardiff Blues (H)

Conference B

Benetton Rugby

Overview

Last season was a huge success for the Italian club as they finished fifth in Conference B, just seven points behind Ulster who ended up qualifying for the Champions Cup. They also recorded an impressive 11 victories throughout the 2017/18 campaign.

Head Coach

Kieran Crowley

Captain

Dean Budd

New Signings

The club have signed Italian prop Derrick Appiah from London Scottish while also making a shrewd signing in scrum-half Dewaldt Duvenage from the Stormers.

Departures

Unfortunately for Benetton, they lost influential Kiwi out-half Marty Banks who heads back to New Zealand.

Prospects

All clubs in Conference B, except maybe the Southern Kings will be competitive this season, so a similar performance to 2017/18 would be an excellent achievement.

Opening Three Fixtures

Dragons (A), Cardiff Blues (H), Scarlets (A)

Dragons

Overview

The Dragons finished with just two wins last season in what was a dismal first season under Bernard Jackman. However, the club were forced into using a lot of Academy players due to a chronic injury crisis and they can only improve this season.

Head Coach

Bernard Jackman

Captain

Cory Hill

New Signings

Plenty of new faces around Rodney Parade with the experienced duo of Richard Hibbard and Ross Moriarty expected to make a big difference. Former Bristol duo Rhodri Williams and Jordan Williams will also add more depth to a squad which badly needed it.

Departures

A lot of players have left the Dragons as Bernard Jackman continues his rebuild of the club both on and off the pitch.

Prospects

Dragons will be better this season, that much is little in doubt but whether their new signings will make the required difference remains to be seen. If injuries are kind to them, they could challenge for a Champions Cup spot but expect them to finish in mid-table, probably in fifth.

Opening Three Fixtures

Benetton (H), Southern Kings (H), Leinster (A)

Edinburgh

Overview

Richard Cockerill has revitalised a club which has often struggled at the bottom of the PRO12 but they surprised a lot of people when they reached a PRO14 quarter-final and they will feel they should have beaten Munster in Thomond Park in that fixture.

Head Coach

Richard Cockerill

Captain

Stuart McInally

New Signings

‘Cockers’ has recruited cleverly for the upcoming season as Scotland captain John Barclay joins from Scarlets, although he won’t be fit until the new year. Juan Pablo Socino comes in from the Newcastle Falcon, kiwi out-half Simon Hickey from Bordeaux and Henry Pyrgos from Glasgow Warriors.

Departures

Cornell du Preez, Duncan Weir and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne have all left the club but their absence shouldn’t be missed too much in a squad that has signed well over the summer.

Prospects

After such a good season last year, it will be difficult to back it up but Edinburgh should only get better under the guidance of the former Leicester Tigers boss. A semi-final appearance could be a shout and it would be an incredible achievement.

Opening Three Fixtures

Ospreys (A), Ulster (A), Connacht (H)

Leinster

Overview

Where to go from winning the PRO14 and Champions Cup last season? Leinster go into the new campaign with a lighter squad but have the advantage of calling on some sublime young players from their Academy to step up to the mark. They are the favourites to win the competition and rightly so.

Head Coach

Leo Cullen

Captain

Johnny Sexton

New Signings

Not many new signings besides players graduating from the Academy but the physically impressive Joe Tomane comes in from Montpellier to add his versatility in the backline after the retirement of Isa Nacewa.

Departures

Through retirements and players moving elsewhere, Leinster’s squad is a lot lighter. Isa Nacewa, Jamie Heaslip and Richardt Strauss have all retired while Jordi Murphy and Joey Carbery have moved to Ulster and Munster, respectively.

Prospects

Although their squad has lost some experience and quality, the eastern province possesses some of the best depth in the competition and they still have an incredible side which is the envy of the competition when the Irish internationals are available.

May have a few bumps along the way but if they can reach the business end of the season, expect them to power through the playoffs and into the final.

Opening Three Fixtures

Cardiff Blues (A), Scarlets (A), Dragons (H)

Scarlets

Overview

Wayne Pivac has done wonders at Scarlets since he came in as head coach and he guided the Welsh side to the PRO14 final and Champions Cup semi-final last season where they were undone by Leinster on both occasions. They have brought in some good players to add to their squad so they will be looking to reach the semi-finals of both competitions again this season.

Head Coach

Wayne Pivac

Captain

Ken Owens

New Signings

Blade Thomson, Uzair Cassiem and Clayton Blometjies have all arrived during the summer and they should all flourish in the Scarlets’ gameplan.

Departures

Unfortunately, there are some high profiles losses including Scotland captain John Barclay who left for Edinburgh and Tadhg Beirne who departed for Munster. They’ve also lost Scott Williams to the Ospreys.

Prospects

Should be battling it out with Leinster for the top spot in Conference B, they could easily reach the final again if they secure a home semi-final.

Opening Three Fixtures

Ulster (A), Leinster (H), Benetton (H)

Southern Kings

Overview

A hastily assembled squad and a non-existent preseason resulted in a difficult debut in the PRO14 for the South African side who came away with just one victory after 21 fixtures.

Head Coach

Deon Davids

Captain

Michael Willemse

New Signings & Departures

They have signed mostly from within South Africa but also see players from that country return from Europe with good experience which they hope will benefit them going forward.

Prospects

The Southern Kings can’t get much worse from last season but with a more settled squad and a new sponsor on board, there is a lot of positivity that the Kings will have more of an impact on proceedings this season. They won’t come close to qualifying for the playoffs but they should do better than last season.

Opening Three Fixtures

Zebre (A), Dragons (A), Ulster (H)

Ulster Rugby

Overview

2017/18 was a season which couldn’t end quick enough for reasons both on and off the pitch for the northern province. They did manage to qualify for the Champions Cup via a playoff at the end of the season to provide some gloss going into 2018/19.

Head Coach

Dan McFarland

Captain

Rory Best

New Signings

Jordi Murphy, Marty Moore, Billy Burns, Will Addison and Henry Speight have all come in and provide some much-needed quality and depth to Ulster’s squad.

Departures

The province has lost a lot of players through retirement or moving clubs: Jared Payne, Andrew Trimble, Tommy Bowe, Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Charles Piutau and Callum Black.

Prospects

Although the squad has been decimated in terms of experience, there is a lot of positivity around the club regarding the young players coming through the ranks. With McFarland now in place before the season starts, they will be a lot more competitive and their soft underbelly up front is likely to be one of the major work-ons that the new head coach will target.

Opening Three Fixtures

Scarlets (H), Edinburgh (H), Southern Kings (A)

Read More About: Guinness PRO14 2018/19