Northampton Saints to begin Premiership title defence with blockbuster clash against Bath – in repeat of last month’s memorable final, as full fixtures are revealed

Northampton will launch the defence of their Premiership title with a repeat of last season’s final when the new campaign kicks off with the Saints facing Bath at The Rec on Friday, September 20.

Phil Dowson’s champions claimed the coveted domestic prize with a dramatic 25-21 win in the showpiece at Twickenham last month. 

But Bath will have an immediate chance for revenge at their home ground as the league returns under lights, featuring a headline No 10 match-up between Finn Russell and Fin Smith.

Fixtures for the 2024-25 season have been announced, revealing that Bristol’s inaugural ‘Big Day Out’ at the 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium will take place on the weekend of May 10-12. The West Country derby is destined to draw a bumper crowd just across the border in Cardiff.

That grand occasion is just one of the marquee matches which will take place at huge arenas. 

Finn Russell’s Bath side will be looking to atone for their loss to Northampton in the 2024 final

Bristol’s inaugural ‘Big Day Out’ at the 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium (pictured) will take place on the weekend of May 10-12

For the 16th successive year, Harlequins will stage their Big Game at Twickenham, on December 28, with Leicester the opposition this time. 

With the Tigers sure to bring an army of loyal supporters to south west London, there is every chance of a sell-out.

Quins are also returning to the national stadium to take on Gloucester on the May 10-12 weekend for their Big Summer Kick-off, while Saracens will again lock horns with their capital-city rivals at Tottenham Stadium on March 22. 

The corresponding game last season produced a glaring mismatch as the ‘home’ team ran riot to win 52-7.

Every Premiership match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and Discovery+ for the first time, as the new season promises renewed intrigue and tension at both ends of the table. 

The club which finish bottom will face a promotion-relegation play-off against the winners of the Championship, providing that the top club in the second tier have satisfied entry criteria to go up.

Harlequins will stage their Big Game at Twickenham, on December 28 against Leicester. Last year’s Big Game was against Gloucester (pictured)

Newcastle Falcons (pictured in November) lost every league match last season

Newcastle’s final fixture is at Leicester – who now have Michael Cheika (pictured) in charge – as the last-round matches all kick off at the same time on May 31

Newcastle lost every league match last season and Steve Diamond’s side will be desperate to start the new campaign well against Bristol, on the opening night at Kingston Park. 

Their final fixture is at Leicester – who now have Michael Cheika in charge – as the last-round matches all kick off at the same time on May 31, which is destined to be a high-stakes day.