Northampton Wanderers will start the defence of their Premiership Rugby A League title with a trip to Sale Jets in the North Pool, as the countdown to the new season gathers pace.
Tom Collins scored two tries as the Wanderers produced a dominant second-half display to down Gloucester United 36-15 at Franklin’s Gardens back in the final in May, while Sam Olver controlled the match from fly-half – kicking 16 points.
For a full list of Premiership Rugby A League fixtures click here (link possibly to http://www.premiershiprugby.com/aviva-a-league-results/)
The Wanderers will desperate to repeat their success this season, but they face a major challenge – with matches against rivals Leicester Tigers A and Worcester Cavaliers hot on the heels of the trip to the Jets.
Gloucester United, who will compete in a seven-team South Pool, open up against new boys London Irish A before meeting rivals Bath United a week later.
The opening round of the season comes just days after the Aviva Premiership Rugby season kicks off, providing a perfect opportunity for the next generation to showcase their skills.
And there are some tasty fixtures early on, with Wasps A facing Newcastle Falcons A in the North Group, and Harlequins A locking horns with Exeter Braves in the South Pool.
Elsewhere on the opening weekend, Bath United open up against Saracens Storm.
The structure of the Premiership Rugby A League has changed significantly this season, with 13 teams set to compete before the semi-finals and finals in April.
The six-team North Pool will play each other home and away, with the top two progressing to the semi-finals.
In the South Pool, the sides will play each other once. The top five after six matches then meet again, play an additional four games in a second phase mini-league with the top reaching the semi-finals.
The semi-finals are set to take place on the week commencing 22 April, with the final on Monday 30 April.
