**Zebre and the Emirates Lions will meet for the first time as the curtain comes up on the inaugural United Rugby Championship season.** All eyes will be on the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma as Zebre, who have made around a dozen new signings, look to end a run of eight championship defeats. The Lions finished bottom of the Rainbow Cup SA but their sole victory did come against section winners the Vodacom Bulls. The Johannesburg-based Lions play their first four matches in Europe and have been boosted by the availability in their touring party of lock Wilhelm van Der Sluys after a shoulder injury, although he will not feature in the opener.
