Worcester Warriors can today confirm that our opening day of the season clash with Northampton Saints has been moved back 24 hours to Sunday, September 7 so that the game can now be televised live on Sky Sports.
Mike Ruddock’s new-look Warriors will burst into Guinness Premiership life for the very first time this season at Franklin’s Gardens when they take on the newly promoted Saints on the Sunday afternoon with a 1.30pm kick-off.
Sky Sports have scheduled 14 matches in the first 11 rounds, with each of the 12 Guinness Premiership teams featuring at least once – Warriors feature three times.
Warriors will also be live in front of the watching world in October when they welcome Harlequins to Sixways Stadium for an evening encounter.
The Guinness Premiership match has also been moved back a day from the original schedule to Thursday, October 2 (kick-off 8pm).
As a result, Warriors home game with London Irish in the EDF Energy Cup will now be played on Sunday, October 5 (kick-off 3pm) to retain the original recovery period between matches.
Warriors trip to Edgeley Park to face Sale Sharks will also be shown live on Friday, November 14 (kick-off 8pm).
Stuart Barnes, rugby union commentator at Sky Sports, said: “The East versus West Midlands televised clash between Northampton Saints and Worcester Warriors sums up why I think this will be the best Guinness Premiership season so far.
“The established traditional team Northampton are on the rise, with the new age Worcester outfit looking to ensure that the old and new power struggle is turned on their head as Chris Latham joins them to add class, grit and character in abundance.”
Confirmed live matches to date from the Guinness Premiership:
SKY FIXTURE LIST:
DATE FIXTURE KICK-OFF
Sunday 7 September Northampton Saints v Worcester Warriors LIVE 13:30
Sunday 7 September Gloucester Rugby v Leicester Tigers LIVE 16:00
Saturday 13 September Bath Rugby v Gloucester Rugby LIVE 14:45
Friday 26 September Leicester Tigers v London Wasps LIVE 20:05
Saturday 27 September Saracens v Northampton Saints LIVE 14:45
Thursday 2 October Worcester Warriors v Harlequins LIVE 20:00
Friday 14 November Sale Sharks v Worcester Warriors LIVE 20:00
Friday 21 November Gloucester Rugby v Bristol Rugby LIVE 20:00
Friday 28 November Newcastle Falcons v London Wasps LIVE 20:00
Saturday 20 December Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks LIVE 14:45
Saturday 27 December Saracens v London Irish LIVE 13:30
Saturday 27 December Harlequins v Leicester Tigers LIVE 16:00
Sunday 4 January Leicester Tigers v Bath Rugby LIVE 13:30
Sunday 4 January London Wasps v Harlequins LIVE 16:00