The count-down to the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership Rugby season commenced this past weekend, with Sale Sharks and Exeter Chiefs being the first top-flight clubs to run out in pre-season action. Sale took on Championship club Caldy last Friday night, with the Sharks recording a 42-24 win. The Chiefs then hosted a Saturday double-header of at Sandy Park, with London Scottish and Cornish Pirates making the trip to Devon.
It was smiles all round for the Chiefs, as the hosts secured back-to-back wins upon their opening day of the season. The double header was the perfect opportunity to introduce young prospects to the squad, as well as mark the returns of some dearly missed fan favourites. Sam Maunder was back in action for the Chiefs, after the halfback suffered a knee injury back in March 2023, and endured an extended break on the side-lines.
Exeter first took on London Scottish, with the Exiles taking a heavy defeat on the road. Harvey Skinner led the line for the Chiefs, who’s continued attacking onslaught racked up an emphatic 45-19 win over the Londoners. Rob Baxter’s side then followed this up with an impressive outing against their West Country rivals, as they tallied up a 46-24 win, with Paul Brown-Bampoe running over for a hat-trick against the Cornishmen.
There are two pre-season fixtures featuring Premiership clubs scheduled for this Saturday, with Bath and Leicester Tigers ready for their returns to action. the Tigers take the slightly early kick-off time, as they take on Championship club Nottingham at Welford Road, with the action getting underway at 2:30pm.
After a disappointing eighth placed finish in the previous Premiership season, the Tigers will be out to put their best foot forward in their return to the pitch. We could be about to witness the Tigers debuts of Australian centre Izaia Perese from the Waratahs, and former Junior Springbok of the Year, 20-year-old back row Corne Beets.
Like Leicester, the blue, black and whites of Bath want nothing more than to commence their comeback with a win, as the 2023/24 Premiership runners-up plot their journey back to Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium for next season’s Premiership Final. Bath have broken the trend of taking on Championship clubs, with a definite top-flight calibre club heading down to the Rec this weekend.
Munster make the trip across the Irish sea, with the province out to commence their own preparations ahead of the incoming 2024/25 United Rugby Championship campaign. Johann van Graan’s side have a classic 3pm kick off at their home ground, with plenty of fireworks expected against the incoming Irish side. Whilst the likes of Finn Russell and Jack Crowley are not necessarily expected to star in the 10 shirts for this pre-season clash, the prospect of the two halfbacks going head-to-head is an exciting one.
Whilst rotational players and academy graduates are more likely to take part, we would love to see the Scotland and Ireland fly halves cross paths at least briefly this coming Saturday.
2024/25 PREMIERSHIP RUGBY PRE-SEASON FIXTURES (WEEK 2)
Saturday 31 August – Bath Rugby v Munster Rugby – The Rec, 3pm
Saturday 31 August – Leicester Tigers v Nottingham Rugby – Mattioli Woods Welford Road, 2:30pm