Aviva Premiership Rugby newcomers have been given a tough draw as they face nine-time English champions Leicester Tigers at home on the opening weekend.
rugbyweek
The Championship winners will have their opening match at the Kassam Stadium screened live on Sky Sports, kicking off at 2pm.
London Welsh follow up their clash with the Tigers by making the short trip to current Aviva Premiership Rugby Champions, Harlequins, in round two.
Harlequins will start the defence of their title at Twickenham Stadium in the London Double Header, on Saturday 1 September, against London Wasps, the showpiece occasion being completed with Saracens against London Irish.
Sale Sharks will travel to Exeter Chiefs in round one, allowing the Sharks to showcase their new ground, the Salford City Stadium, with the arrival of 2011 Aviva Premiership Rugby Champions, Saracens a week later.
Completing the first round of Aviva Premiership Rugby Nigel Davies’ first game in charge of Gloucester Rugby will be at home to Northampton Saints, while Bath Rugby’s new Director of Rugby, Gary Gold, will make the short journey to Sixways to take on Worcester Warriors.
AVIVA PREMIERSHIP RUGBY Round One
August 31 – September 1
Exeter Chiefs v. Sale Sharks
Gloucester Rugby v. Northampton Saints
Worcester Warriors v. Bath Rugby
September 1 – Twickenham
London Wasps v. Harlequins, 2pm, live on ESPN
Saracens v. London Irish, 4.30pm, live on ESPN
September 2
London Welsh v. Leicester Tigers, 2pm, live on Sky Sports
AVIVA PREMIERSHIP RUGBY Round Two
September 7-9
Bath Rugby v. London Wasps
Harlequins v. London Welsh
Leicester Tigers v. Worcester Warriors
London Irish v. Gloucester Rugby
Northampton Saints v. Exeter Chiefs
Sale Sharks v. Saracens
AVIVA PREMIERSHIP RUGBY Round 3
September 14-16
Bath Rugby v. Northampton Saints
London Welsh v. Exeter Chiefs
Harlequins v. Sale Sharks
London Wasps v. London Irish
Saracens v. Leicester Tigers
Worcester Warriors v. Gloucester Rugby
More to follow….