United side switched to north section
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GLOUCESTER United have been moved to the northern section of the Premiership Rugby Shield next season.
With last season’s runners-up Newcastle relegated from the Premiership, their place in the competition has been taken by London Irish, who return following their promotion from the Championship.
That means Gloucester, as the most northern based club in last season’s southern conference, will now face Monday night trips to the likes of Sale and Leicester rather than traditional local rivals Bristol and Bath in the reserve team competition.
Each club will play 10 games, home and away against every side in their conference, with the top two going into the semi-finals.
With the new season starting with the Premiership Cup and the World Cup taking place this year, the Shield will start later in line with the Premiership and European competitions with Gloucester at home to Leicester Tigers in their first game on November 25.
Saracens Storm won last season’s competition, completing a 55-14 victory over Newcastle Falcons A in the final at Kingston Park.
Corin Palmer, head of elite performance and player development at Premiership Rugby, said: “The Premiership Rugby Shield ensures Academy players get the chance to play alongside senior professionals to prepare them for Gallagher Premiership rugby.”
» GLOUCESTER’S Premiership Shield fixtures
November
25 Leicester ........................................................... (H) December
16 Northampton .................................................. (A)
23 Worcester ......................................................... (H)
30 Sale ...................................................................... (A) January
20 Wasps ................................................................. (A) March
23 Northampton ................................................. (H) April
6 Worcester ........................................................... (A)
13 Wasps .................................................................. (H)
20Sale ...................................................................... (H)
May 4 Leicester ............................................................. (A)