The tournament organizers couldn’t have wished for a better start to the season with an action packed game between London Wasps and Harlequins at Twickenham. Harlequins secured a narrow victory after being more than twenty points behind with twenty minutes left to play. Ten tries were scored in total in this match.
In the second of the day’s matches on the Twickenham double billing Saracens were comprehensive winners against London Irish. The Saracens match day squad of twenty three contained seven South African players.
The concept of playing two Premiership games on the same day at Twickenham would have been considered as a success again this year as the crowd for the day was listed as 63 102. Total attendance for the six games of this round was 95 184.
The closest game of the weekend saw former Springbok assistant coach Gary Gold’s Bath narrowly defeat Worcester. The lead changed hand several times during the game, while Springbok flanker Francois Louw played the whole game.
In the final game of the weekend newly promoted London Welsh were at home to last season’s losing finalists Leicester. London Welsh discovered just how hard life will be in the top league as Leicester ran out comfortable winners.
Full list of results
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Aviva Premiership Round 1 |
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| Sat 1st Sep 12 | 1400 | London Wasps | 40 – 42 | Harlequins | Twickenham | |||
| Sat 1st Sep 12 | 1500 | Exeter Chiefs | 43 – 6 | Sale Sharks | Sandy Park | |||
| Sat 1st Sep 12 | 1500 | Gloucester Rugby | 19 – 24 | Northampton Saints | Kingsholm | |||
| Sat 1st Sep 12 | 1500 | Worcester Warriors | 23 – 24 | Bath Rugby | Sixways | |||
| Sat 1st Sep 12 | 1630 | Saracens | 40 – 3 | London Irish | Twickenham | |||
| Sun 2nd Sep 12 | 1400 | London Welsh | 13 – 38 | Leicester Tigers | Kassam Stadium | |||