Premiership Rugby confirm start to the new season

Premiership Rugby have confirmed the that new Gallagher Premiership season will get underway on Friday October 13, two weeks before the Rugby World Cup final.

The upcoming season will run until June, with the final taking place on the 8th, just two weeks before England's first ever Test match against Japan on Japanese soil. While the start and end date have been confirmed, the fixtures will be released next week.

Following the suspension of Wasps, Worcester Warriors and London Irish last season, this will be a ten-team league, although fans have been promised the return of promotion and relegation from 2024.

Last season's Premiership final was brought forward by three weeks compared to the season before in order to help England with their World Cup preparations. With the World Cup in mind again, this season has been delayed by a month compared to last season while players are still on international duty.

Saracens will be the team to beat in the season to come after they triumphed over Sale Sharks in the final in May. After that victory, captain Owen Farrell warned the rest of the league that the win was just the beginning for his side, who were winning their first title after being relegated at the end of the 2019/20 season.

"At this moment in time, regardless of how today went, it still feels like there is a lot for this young team now still to go," the England captain said.

“There is a feeling of wanting to get the best out of ourselves and that will carry on for a long time now.”