Guinness Premiership - Check out the opening day fixtures
Published: 04/08/2008
SATURDAY 6th September
London Irish v London Wasps
The new season opens with the first of the double header matches at Twickenham as Champions London Wasps take on one of the surprise packages of last season London Irish.
Wasps were beaten last season in the opening day double header 29-19 by Saracens.
After failing to make the play offs the previous season Wasps without the distraction of the Heineken Cup in the second half of the season put together a great run to climb the table and finish second.
The Irish dropped a place finishing seventh but were buoyed by reaching the semi finals of the Heineken Cup, easily their best ever performance in Europe’s premier competition.
Gloucester v Leicester Tigers
Gloucester who were top at the end of the regular season take on Championship runners up Leicester Tigers who eliminated them at Kingsholm in the semi finals.
Gloucester topped the table for the second successive season but again failed to take the title.
The Tigers after taking the title the season before were beaten in the final by Wasps after getting into the play offs in dramatic style on the last day of the season.
Northampton Saints v Worcester Warriors
Newly promoted Northampton Saints entertain Worcester Warriors who nearly went down two seasons ago instead of the Saints, finishing a point clear of them in the final table.
Worcester after finishing 11th improved one place to 10th but will hope their can build on their form late in the season which included reaching a European Final.
The Saints will be looking to follow in the footsteps of both Bristol and Harlequins who have both done well on their return to the Premiership after a season in National One.
Saracens v Harlequins
In the second match of the Double header last seasons Heineken Cup semi finalists take on Dean Richard Harlequins who finished a creditable sixth last season and narrowly missed out on a Play off place.
Quins looked to be in line for a play off place on the final day of the season at Welford Road but a late Tom Varndell try put paid to their chances and they had to settle for a one place improvement on the previous season.
Saracens after making the play offs the previous season finished down in 8th place but will hope to build on their exploits in Europe.
SUNDAY 7th September
Bristol v Bath
Bath finished a creditable third last season but were beaten in the Play off semi finals at Adams Park by the eventual winners London Wasps. Bristol slipped back on the previous season finishing down in 9th place, a six place drop and failed to reach the play offs.
Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks
Two sides who disappointed last season meet at Kingston Park as the Falcons entertain the Sharks
Sale have now failed to qualify for the play offs for two consecutive seasons whilst the Falcons dropped down two places to finish second bottom on the table.
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