24th August 2005
Issued on behalf of Northampton Saints

Northampton Saints will once again install a giant screen at Franklin's Gardens to show an exclusive broadcast of the Saints' derby match against Leicester Tigers.

The last time the giant screen was installed at Franklin's Gardens was on the last day of the 2004/05 season when Saints played Worcester Warriors at Sixways. More than 2,000 people turned out to watch this crunch game.

This time, the giant screen will be 50 per cent bigger and will transmit live pictures from Welford Road where Saints are opening their 2005/06 GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP campaign against derby rivals Leicester Tigers on Saturday, September 3 - KO 3pm.

Demand for derby matches is always the highest of the season, but with only 500 tickets on offer to away supporters, the club is aware many fans miss out on one of the most eagerly awaited games of the season - which this year is not being shown live by Sky.

It will also give many supporters the opportunity to see Saints' new-look squad in action for the first time, as all three pre-season matches have had to be played away due to the building work being carried out on the South Stand at Franklin's Gardens and Saints' first home Premiership game is three weeks into the season.

Northampton Saints commercial director Allan Robson said: "The screen for the Worcester game was a great success and although we did not manage to recover the costs, we felt it was an appropriate way to say thank you to the supporters who had been so loyal to the club throughout the season.

"This broadcast will give our supporters the opportunity to see our new squad in action with the likes of David Quinlan, Sean Lamont, Carlos Spencer and Daniel Browne donning the Saints jersey for the first time in the GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP."

Director of rugby Budge Pountney said: "We are all looking forward to our opening game of the season against Leicester Tigers. There is nothing better than a good old-fashioned derby to get the season up and running. Obviously we would love there to be more of our fans at Welford Road but we will definitely be spurred on knowing there are a couple of thousand more cheering us on from Franklin's Gardens."

Tickets for the live broadcast are now on sale and cost £5 for unreserved seats or terracing in the Tetley's Stand. Tickets will be sold on the turnstiles on the day if there are any remaining. For safety reasons, only the Tetley's Stand will be open, so tickets will be sold on a first-come, first served basis. Leicester fans are most welcome.

A donation from the ticket sales will be made to Matt Hampson Trust Fund. Leicester prop Matt suffered a serious neck injury at Franklin's Gardens when he was training with the England U21s. Money raised through the trust will used to pay for Matt's ongoing medical care.

The turnstiles and the bars will open at 1.30pm and the broadcast will begin at 2.30pm. Admission will be through the turnstiles opposite the ticket office. Free parking will be available in the VIP car park for the first 150 cars. There will be no parking available in the Ross Road car park due to the building work.