Clubs give full support to revised fixture schedule

PREMIERSHIP clubs will play seven games in four weeks when the league restarts in August.

The first four rounds of fixtures for the restart were announced on Friday, with second-placed Sale travelling to Harlequins on the opening Friday night, August 14. Leaders Exeter host Leicester on the Saturday.

Some clubs will be playing once every four days to finish the season, with three midweek rounds scheduled.

“Every single club is absolutely on board and totally supportive of this schedule,” said Premiership Rugby chief executive Darren Childs.

“The reaction has been very positive. It was very clear early on that we wanted to keep the integrity of the competition, if we could possibly avoid cancelling rounds or awarding points.

“Many other leagues have not taken that choice and have cancelled rounds, but we have been able to find a way to do it safely and that is a great result for the league, clubs and fans.”

The Premiership final is scheduled for October 24, with England’s rearranged Six Nations fixture with Italy planned for the weekend after, before a further block of internationals in November. FIXTURES

Friday August 14 Harlequins v Sale

Saturday August 15 Bath v London Irish Bristol v Saracens Exeter v Leicester Worcester v Gloucester

Sunday August 16 Northampton v Wasps

Friday August 21 Gloucester v Bristol Sale v Exeter Wasps v Worcester

Saturday August 22 Leicester v Bath London Irish v Northampton Saracens v Harlequins

Tuesday August 25 Bristol v Exeter Wasps v Sale

Wednesday August 26 Leicester v London Irish Northampton v Bath Saracens v Gloucester Worcester v Harlequins

Saturday August 29 Sale v Bristol

Sunday August 30 Exeter v Worcester Gloucester v Leicester Harlequins v Northampton London Irish v Saracens

Monday August 31 Bath v Wasps