"Who is Your Team Playing?" All Pre Season Matches Confirmed for Premiership Rugby Clubs - Page 3 of 3 - Ruck
Features Gallagher Premiership Rugby News

“Who is Your Team Playing?” All Pre Season Matches Confirmed for Premiership Rugby Clubs

20 August 2024
Tom Sansom

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

2023/24 Premiership Finish: Champions

Fin Smith of Northampton Saints and Fraser Dingwall of Northampton Saints lifts the winners trophy during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby at Twickenham Stadium on 8 June 2024. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

Northampton Saints ended their 10-year wait for the Premiership Rugby title last season, with the streets painted green, black and gold in jubilant celebration. The Saints bid farwell to an assortment of club legends at the end of the campaign, as the likes of Courtney Lawes, Alex Waller and Lewis Ludlam all departed Franklin’s Gardens with winners medals around their necks. It’s the start of a new era for Phil Dowson’s men, and what better way to commence it by defending their Premiership title with some of England’s most exciting back-line talents leading the way.

PRE SEASON FIXTURES

  • Saturday 7 September – Northampton Saints v Leinster Rugby – cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, 2pm
  • Friday 13 September – Northampton Saints v Bedford Blues – cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, 7:45pm

First Match of 2024/25 Premiership: Bath (Away) 20/09, 19:45 KO

SALE SHARKS

2023/24 Premiership Finish: Semi Finalist

Tom Curry of Sale Sharks and Ben Curry, Captain of Sale Sharks during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Semi Final Match between Bath Rugby and Sale Sharks at the Recreation Ground on 1 June 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Sale Sharks were a game away from back-to-back Premiership Rugby Finals, but it would be Bath that claimed the semi-final triumph for a spot at Twickenham. Alex Sanderson’s side have enjoyed some top four finishes in recent seasons and will be out to do it again, albeit without their powerhouse centre Manu Tuilagi. The former England international has signed for Bayonne in the Top 14, with Sale bringing in Fiji star Waisea Nayacalevu in his place from Toulon. George Ford is ready to lead the way, with exciting England talents Joe Capenter and Tom Roebuck flying down the wings.

PRE SEASON FIXTURES

  • Friday 23 August – Caldy v Sale Sharks – Paton Field, 7pm
  • Saturday 31 August – Connacht v Sale Sharks – Dexcom Stadium, 1:30pm
  • Saturday 7 September – Sale Sharks v Newcastle Falcons – Heywood Road, 7pm

First Match of 2024/25 Premiership: Harlequins (Home) 22/09, 15:00 KO

SARACENS

2023/24 Premiership Finish: Semi Finalists

Jamie George of Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership match between Saracens and Harlequins at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London on 23 March 2024 (Photo: George Beck/PPAUK)

Watching Owen Farrell bid farewell to the Saracens fans, after his side was defeated by Northampton Saints in last season’s Premiership play-off semi final, solidified the end of an era at the StoneX Stadium. Now with Mako and Billy Vunipola both departing for France, and their younger cousin Manu also exiting North London, Mark McCall has started over this past Summer. Enter Fergus Burke from the Crusaders, as the New Zealand born fly half is also eligible for England, and could well be on his way to Steve Borthwick’s squad in the near future.

PRE SEASON FIXTURES

  • Friday 6 September – Bedford Blues v Saracens – Goldington Road, 7:45pm
  • Friday 13 September – Saracens v Scarlets – StoneX Stadium, 7pm

First Match of 2024/25 Premiership: Gloucester Rugby (Away) 21/09, 17:30 KO

Pages: 123