Head Coach Danny Wilson can look forward to facing the Italian Job on day one of the new season after the Guinness PRO12 fixtures confirmed that Cardiff Blues will host Zebre on the opening weekend.
New coach Wilson moved to the region this summer and his first official league match in charge will take place on Sunday, September 6 (kick-off 2.30pm).
Cardiff Blues will then have a spell on the road between Round 2 and Round 6 with BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park being transformed into one of 15 Official Rugby World Cup Fanzones across Wales and England during the tournament.
Wilson’s men will enjoy a quadruple header of Irish trips with away dates against Leinster, Connacht, Munster and Ulster in September and October.
Cardiff Blues return to home soil in Round 7 on Saturday, November 7 when champions Glasgow Warriors are the visitors to BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park in front of the Sky cameras.
Blues face a festive away date with Newport Gwent Dragons on Sunday, December 27 and kick-off 2016 by entertaining the Scarlets in the capital on New Year’s Day.
The close to the season will see Blues face Welsh derby days with Newport Gwent Dragons and Ospreys in April before a big a final day of the campaign away at Edinburgh.
Supporters are advised that actual dates for fixtures in 2016 will be confirmed nearer the time following consultation from broadcasters. These will be issued first on www.cardiffblues.com
GUINNESS PRO12 FIXTURES – SEASON 2015/16:
Sunday, 6 September Cardiff Blues vs Zebre – BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
Saturday, 12 September Leinster vs Cardiff Blues – RDS Arena
Saturday 3 October Connacht vs Cardiff Blues – Sportsground
Saturday, 17 October Munster vs Cardiff Blues – TBC
Friday, 23 October Ulster vs Cardiff Blues – Kingspan Stadium
30/31 Oct, 1 Nov Zebre vs Cardiff Blues – Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Saturday, 7 November Cardiff Blues vs Glasgow Warriors – BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
Saturday, 28 November Ospreys vs Cardiff Blues – Liberty Stadium
Friday, 4 December Cardiff Blues vs Connacht – BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
Sunday, 27 December Newport Gwent Dragons vs Cardiff Blues – Rodney Parade
Friday, 1 January Cardiff Blues vs Scarlets – BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
Saturday, 9 January Cardiff Blues vs Munster – BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
29/30/31 January Cardiff Blues vs Edinburgh – BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
12/13/14 February Benetton Treviso vs Cardiff Blues – Stadio Monigo
19/20/21 February Cardiff Blues vs Leinster – BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
26/27/28 February Cardiff Blues vs Ulster – BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
4/5/6 March Glasgow Warriors vs Cardiff Blues – Scotstoun Stadium
25/26/27 March Cardiff Blues vs Benetton Treviso – BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
1/2/3 April Scarlets vs Cardiff Blues – Parc y Scarlets
15/16/17 April Cardiff Blues vs Newport Gwent Dragons – BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
29/30 April, 1 May Cardiff Blues vs Ospreys – BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
6/7/8 May Edinburgh vs Cardiff Blues – BT Murrayfield
20/21/22 May Guinness PRO12 Play-offs
27/28/29 May Guinness PRO12 Final