Ulster start Magners League campaign at home to Ospreys

Darren Cave is tackled by Lee Byrne as the Ospreys beat Ulster in April

Ulster will begin their 2010/11 Magners League campaign with a home game against reigning champions Ospreys at Ravenhill on Friday 3 September.

The game will be broadcast live on BBC Two Northern Ireland.

Brian McLaughlin's side will play their first away game against Italian new boys Aironi on the weekend of 10/11/12 September, the date to be confirmed.

Edinburgh are the visitors to Ravenhill on 17 September while Ulster host Leinster over the Christmas period.

The league has been extended to 12 teams this season, with the introduction of Italian sides Aironi and Benetton Treviso, so each team will play 22 games.

As a result, some matches will coincide with international rugby weekends.

The top four teams will again take part in play-off semi-finals and the winners in a final in May 2011.

All Ulster's home matches, and the away ones against the other Irish provinces, will be shown live on BBC Two NI.

See the full set of Magners League 2010/11 fixtures