NOTTINGHAM kick off their new Championship campaign with a home fixture against London Welsh on August 29.

And director of rugby Glenn Delaney insists it is a must-win game for his squad.

"It's a tough start, but a good start," he said. "Everyone's wondering what the season will hold.

"We haven't got any knowledge about the other teams but you've got to be playing well to get a good start.

"One thing we've not managed to do in the last four seasons, is win the opening game, home or away.

"That is a priority this time and we will focus on that. We performed poorly against London Welsh last time out at home and that's something we want to make sure we put right and get a good start to the season."

The British and Irish Cup matches start in December, with the mighty Munster visiting Nottingham this time.

"Looking at the fixture card, the Munster game is one I can't wait for," said Delaney. "The reality is that they are a massive club.

"If you think this season, we are going to entertain the Guinness Premiership champions Leicester Tigers and then Muster are coming to town.

"Munster at Meadow Lane on a Friday night in January is going to be a fantastic occasion.

"We are really looking forward to our two home fixtures.

"Because if you look at our fixtures, we don't have too many repetitions like we did last year."

Delaney says October will be a big month for the team with the arrival of Bristol and then Worcester, who were relegated from the Premiership last season.

"It's a big month," he said. "The reality is that we don't know what Bristol are going to be like because a number of players have been leaving.

"They've got a lot of problems since they didn't make it last time. They've put 50% pay-cuts in place so we don't really know what Bristol are going to be.

"On the other hand, we know what Worcester are going to be. They are going to be a full-on Premiership club and it's a bit of a return to the days of Northampton and Harlequins.

"The team they've got down there, and the infra-structure of the club, is of a Premiership standard, and that is not being disrespectful to Bristol because Worcester is a much bigger club.

"Having a club like Worcester in the Championship is great for our league.

"But, I'm sure they are going to find they will have a tough season because all the expectations are on them to be the champions and win promotion.

"However, as was shown last season, the form-book goes out the window when the play-offs start.

"Every team will be trying to get themselves to that play-off position again."

In the British and Irish Cup, Nottingham will play Melrose at Meadow Lane on December 11, they are away to an unconfirmed Welsh team on the 18th, entertain Munster on January 14, and then travel to Bristol on the 22nd and Esher on February 26.

Four fixtures have been planned for Friday nights.

The first is against the Tigers in a friendly on August 13, Esher on September 24, Birmingham & Solihull Bees on November 12 and Munster in the British & Irish Cup on January 14.

"We've decided to try Friday nights," said Delaney. "We want to mix it up as there are a few opportunities to sell the club.

"The other thing which will come into play is that the Sky television coverage will probably be on a Friday night.

"We've got Friday nights available right throughout the season.

"The way the fixtures have worked has been very kind to us and Notts County as we will be playing opposite each other.

"We wanted to put some Friday night games on in terms of promoting the game to the city, to get people along to start the weekend of sport with a game of rugby.

"We feel it's a good opportunity for us this year. We tried it a couple of times before but there will be more effort put in this time."

August

13 - home v Leicester Tigers

23 - away v Northampton

29 - home v London Welsh

September

4 - away v B&S Bees

12 - home v Plymouth

18 - away v Rotherham

24 - home v Esher

October

2 - away v Doncaster

10 - home v Moseley

16 - away v Bristol

24 - home v Bedford

30 - away v Worcester

November

7 - home v Cornish Pirates

12 - home v B&S Bees

20 - away v Plymouth

28 - home v Rotherham

December

4 - away v Esher

11 - B&I Cup - home - Melrose

18 - B&I Cup - away - Wales 2

27 - home v Doncaster

January

1 - away v Moseley

9 - home v Bristol

14 - B&I Cup - home - Munster

22 - B&I Cup - away - Bristol

29 - away v Bedford

February

6 - home v Worcester

12 - away v Cornish Pirates

19 - away v London Welsh

26 - B&I Cup - away - Esher

March

5 - B&I Cup QF

12, 19, 26 - Champ play-offs

April

2, 9, 16 - Champ play-offs

23 - B&I Cup SF

30 - Championship SF

May

7 - B&I Cup Final

14 - Championship Final 1

21 - Championship Final 2