Guinness Prem - Derby opening for 2009/10

Eurosport - Wed, 24 Jun 18:16:00 2009

The opening weekend of the 2009/10 Guinness Premiership season will feature three derbies, including the well-established London double-header.

Leicester - 2009 Premiership champions - 0

London Irish start the new campaign where they finished the last one, with Twickenham hosting their 'away' match against Saracens.

The Exiles were toppled 10-9 by Leicester in the Premiership final last month but must wait until mid-October to avenge that defeat.

Wasps are the home team against Harlequins as the London double-header enters a fifth successive year, with 25,000 already sold for the event.

New Gloucester coach Bryan Redpath has been handed a west-country derby against Bath at Kingsholm for his first match in charge, while Leeds host northern rivals Newcastle.

Reigning champions Leicester open their title defence against Sale, who are under the new coaching partnership of Kingsley Jones and Jason Robinson.

Worcester's trip to Northampton completes the opening round of fixtures, to be staged on the first weekend of September.

Each club has one home match over the Christmas and new year period, with the regular season concluding on May 8 and the final scheduled for May 29.

Premier Rugby's commercial director Jon Varney said: "The 2009/10 season has a lot to live up to, with last season acknowledged as being our most successful to date.

"I know a few of the clubs have plans to take big matches away from their usual venues - which I am sure they will announce in due course."

2009/10 Guinness Premiership - Round 1, Sept 4-6.

Gloucester v Bath (Kingsholm)

Leeds Carnegie v Newcastle (Headingley Carnegie)

Wasps v Harlequins (Twickenham)

Northampton v Worcester (Franklin's Gardens)

Sale v Leicester (Edgeley Park)

Saracens v London Irish (Twickenham)

PA Sport

Comment 1 - 12 of 12

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  1. lets go

    From Dave Widenor, on Sat 4 Jul 5:58PM

  2. Come on London Irish 1 place higher this season -­ Champions!

    From sutherland229, on Sat 27 Jun 9:50PM

  3. Rugby over here is a joke ? Are you referring to where­ you live when you say over here or do you mean over­ there where I live . Could be 1 of 2 things here 1. You­ re an Irishman living in England if so if you hate the­ place & people that much then F*ck off back . 2.­ You could be talking about your native Rugby which I do­ doubt meaning that you are that thick you really dont­ know what you re writing & by using the childish­ word gimp I suspect that No. 2 is favourite you­ halfwitted Tw*t

    From firstchoicepm, on Thu 25 Jun 8:42PM

  4. its not my fault rugby over here is a joke u gimp

    From sugruejames55, on Thu 25 Jun 9:07AM

  5. sugruejames you pr*ck stay off the premiership site ,­ its got nothing to do with you , grow up you child

    From firstchoicepm, on Wed 24 Jun 5:58PM

  6. Common Leicester.
    New stand and everything gonna be­ done 4 next season

    From sam.howkins, on Wed 24 Jun 4:06PM

  7. to comment no.2 no i dont. i think people that­ advertise like that spoil the comment boards and should­ be banned

    From owen.nottley, on Wed 24 Jun 3:54PM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    the english premiership is a joke of a league..english­ rugby at the momment is a farce..to many bad players

    From sugruejames55, on Wed 24 Jun 2:52PM

  9. wasps will sting the harlequins ! come on wasps show­ them all

    From richardterry1, on Wed 24 Jun 2:42PM

  10. Leeds against Newcastle, that should decide which one­ will get relegated then!!!

    From Mick, on Wed 24 Jun 2:21PM

  11. cmon waspies!!! this will be our season :)

    From daniflowers20, on Wed 24 Jun 1:56PM

  12. Come on you Warriors!!

    From Bryan, on Wed 24 Jun 1:25PM
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