Man in the middle for big kick-off

WAYNE Barnes will take charge of this season’s Gallagher Premiership Rugby opener when Bristol Bears welcome newly-promoted Saracens to Ashton Gate on tonight.

Pat Lam’s men were one of the stories of last season, topping the table before losing out in the semifinals to eventual champions Harlequins in an all-time Gallagher Premiership Rugby classic.

Facing off against them are 2019 champions Saracens as they return to the top flight after a season in the Championship.

Three games will take place on tomorrow at 3pm, with the headline BT Sport game pitting Leicester Tigers against last year’s beaten finalists Exeter Chiefs.

Ian Tempest is the man in the middle, with Greg Macdonald and Phil Watters on assistant referee duties, as Rob Baxter’s men look to put their 40-38 defeat to Harlequins behind them.

The other 3pm games will see Karl Dickson take charge of Gloucester Rugby’s visit to Northampton Saints, while London Irish also face Worcester Warriors, with Craig Maxwell-Keys tasked with overseeing proceedings.

Tomorrow’s action concludes with Bath Rugby’s trip to Sale Sharks (5pm), with referee Christophe Ridley joined by assistants Hamish Smales and Wayne Falla.

The sole Sunday game sees defending champions Harlequins get their season under way by travelling up north to face off against Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park (3pm). Tom Foley is in the middle for the contest, supported by Leahy and Dix fresh from their Friday night assignment