NEWPORT Gwent Dragons are set to open their LV= Cup campaign by hosting reigning champions Exeter Chiefs - but a fixture clash with the Guinness Pro12 needs to be sorted.

The fixtures for the Anglo-Welsh competition were announced today with the region pencilled in to welcome former players Adam Hughes, Ceri Sweeney, Phil Dollman and Matt Jess to Rodney Parade on the weekend of October 31.

However, that clashes with their Pro12 encounter with Ulster in Belfast.

The RFU, who organise the tournament, said: “The WRU is currently in negotiations with the regions regarding the Participation Agreement for the upcoming season.

“Once those negotiations have concluded, they will address the potential clash for Welsh clubs in round one of the LV= Cup, the dates of which were agreed by all LV= Cup stakeholders back in April 2014.”

The Dragons head to the Twickenham Stoop to take on Harlequins on November 7/8/9.

The competition resumes on the last weekend of January when Lyn Jones’ side take on the Ospreys, probably at Bridgend’s Brewery Field, and the final group game sees them host London Welsh.

The Dragons will be attempting to finish top of Pool One, which sees them grouped with Saracens, Bath and Gloucester. The quartet all play teams from Pool Four.

Dragons fixtures:

  • Exeter (home) – October 31/November 1/2 (likely to change to avoid clash with Ulster game)
  • Harlequins (away) – November 7/8/9 (Wales v Australia on November 8)
  • Ospreys (away) – January 30/31/February 1
  • London Welsh (home) – February 6/7/8 (Wales v France on February 6)

Pool winners go through to semi-finals on March 13/14/15, final on March 22 (venue to be confirmed)