The 2019/20 Guinness Pro14 season will start a month later than usual, according to a report in the Irish Times today.

It is expected the competition will begin on the weekend of the 27/28/29th September, the same weekend as Wales take on Australia in their second Rugby World Cup pool stage game.

There will then be a week off for the World Cup quarter-finals on the weekend of the 18/19/20th October, before action resumes the following weekend. Games are scheduled for the weekend of November 2nd when the World Cup Final takes place.

European competition dates have already been announced, with pool stage games taking place on the weekends starting 15th and 22nd November, 6th and 13th December, and 10th and 17th January.

Pro14 games will slot in around these, including a full festive fixture list of derbies.

According to the Irish Times this is expected to be announced officially in the next few weeks, some six months after the French and English leagues announced their plans for the World Cup year.

This is linked to uncertainty over the number of South African teams that will compete, with rumours gathering momentum the Pro14 Final could be held in the country at the end of the season.