GLOUCESTER RUGBY
2023/24 Premiership Finish: 9th
Gloucester found themselves in the hunt for two trophies come the end of the 2023/24 season, and in doing so put less of an onus upon their performances in the Premiership. The Cherry and Whites were successful in claiming the 2024 Premiership Rugby Cup, in what was their first piece of silverware for nine years. The West Country side then finished runners up in the EPCR Challenge cup, as the Hollywoodbets Sharks claimed the title. A 90-0 defeat to Northampton set a new Premiership record win for the Saints, and Gloucester fans will want to see their side perform in all competitions this season.
PRE SEASON FIXTURES
- Friday 6 September – Munster v Gloucester Rugby – Virgin Media Park, 7pm
- Friday 13 September – Edinburgh Rugby v Gloucester Rugby – Hive Stadium, 7:30pm
First Match of 2024/25 Premiership: vs Saracens (Home) 21/09, 17:30 KO
HARLEQUINS
2023/24 Premiership Finish: 6th
The biggest accomplishment of the 2023/24 season for the Premiership’s resident entertainers actually came in Europe, as Harlequins reached the semi-finals of the Champions Cup for the first time in their history. Despite coming away with a defeat to eventual champions Toulouse, Quins rejoiced in the accomplishment, yet like Gloucester, caused the Premiership to take a back seat in the progress. It’s a fine balance to get right, and the ultimate comeback artists are hopeful with the new recruitment of Wales legend Leigh Halfpenny at fullback.
PRE SEASON FIXTURES
- Saturday 7 September – Harlequins v London Scottish – Twickenham Stoop, 3pm
- Friday 13 September – Benetton Rugby v Harlequins – Stadio Comunale di Monigo, 7pm
First Match of 2024/25 Premiership: Sale Sharks (Away) 22/09, 15:00 KO
LEICESTER TIGERS
2023/24 Premiership Finish: 8th
It was a forgettable season for the Welford Road faithful, as Leicester Tigers were had a sub-par campaign from their high standards. The eighth placed finish just two seasons removed from their 2022 Premiership title triumph encapsulates the ruthlessness of the competition, with every match mattering from the first to the final round of action. Leicester’s biggest signings of the season are Australian centre Izaia Perese from the Waratahs, and former Junior Springbok of the Year, 20-year-old back row Corne Beets.
PRE SEASON FIXTURES
- Saturday 31 August – Leicester Tigers v Nottingham Rugby – Mattioli Woods Welford Road, 2:30pm
- Saturday 7 September – Leicester Tigers v Scarlets – Mattioli Woods Welford Road, 3pm
First Match of 2024/25 Premiership: Exeter Chiefs (Away), 21/09, 15:05 KO
NEWCASTLE FALCONS
2023/24 Premiership Finish: 10th
18 defeats in 18 games. If there ever was a Premiership season to move on from, the 2023/24 campaign for Newcastle Falcons was just that. Whilst Newcastle did record a win in the Challenge Cup against Perpignan, Kingston Park was far from a fortress against English opponents. However, the Falcons are optimistic for the season ahead, having brought in former Sale and Worcester head coach Steve Diamond upon their coaching staff to turn the ship around. Couple this with the arrival of 15 new players, including former Leicester Tigers fly half prodigy Kieran Wilkinson, and the future looks brighter for Newcastle’s upcoming Premiership season.
PRE SEASON FIXTURES
- Saturday 7 September – Sale Sharks v Newcastle Falcons – Heywood Road, 7pm
- Friday 13 September – North v South (True North Origin) – Kingston Park, 6pm
First Match of 2024/25 Premiership: Bristol Bears (Home) 20/09, 19:45 KO