The AIB All-Ireland League fixtures announced yesterday sees champions Cork Constitution start their title defence away to Buccaneers on December 4th.

Runners-up Garryowen will be at home to Terenure while Division 1 newcomers Dungannon will play host to St Mary's and DLSP travel to Ballymena.

For the first time, the bonus points system will be in operation offering four points for a win, two for a draw and one additional point for a team scoring four tries or more as well as a team defeated by not more than seven points.

With the new league format to be adopted in the year 2000 season, there will be no automatic relegation from Division 1.

Instead, the bottom team will play-off the fifth team in Division 2 for relegation and the top four Division 2 teams gain automatic promotion.