Monday 15th May 2006
Issued on behalf of Premier Rugby
The 2006/7 GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP season will again kick off with its traditional curtain raiser, the London Double Header; a chance for rugby supporters to watch the best of club rugby at the home of the game.

The return of NEC Harlequins to the top flight ensures supporters will be able to watch two London derbies for the price of one.

The day will begin at 2pm on Saturday 2nd September 2006, when a resurgent London Irish take on newly promoted NEC Harlequins. Last season's London Double Header was the first game in charge for Exiles coach Brian Smith, nominated this week for the O2 Director of Rugby of the Season award.

"The London Double Header is a fantastic way to start the season", said Smith. "Supporters of the four London clubs can make the pilgrimage to the temple of England rugby to renew rivalries for another season and enjoy a great afternoon's entertainment."

Their opponents, NEC Harlequins, have spent a year in National League One and began last season at Pertemps Bees. This year, Director of Rugby Dean Richards will be kicking off his first season in the top flight with Quins at Twickenham.

"The London Double Header is a fantastic way to start our first season back in the top flight", said the former England number eight. "I think it is a great idea and has obviously become a real fixture in the club rugby calendar. It will be my first and the thought of the team running out in front of 50,000 odd fans at the home of rugby is an exciting one. Irish finished this season as probably the most exciting, running side in the country, so we will need all the support we can get if we are going to turn them over and start our first GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP campaign with a win."

Another GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP newcomer will also begin his season at Twickenham, with former Munster and Leinster coach Alan Gaffney leading his Saracens team into a derby match with the current GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP Champions, London Wasps.

The second match kicks off at 4.20pm and Saracens will be keen to avenge their 23-11 defeat in the reverse fixture last year, tries from Tom Voyce and Fraser Waters proving too much for Saracens, despite a score early in the second half from young number eight Ben Skirving.

Gaffney threw his support behind the event, saying "I'm very much looking forward to the start of the season and playing at Twickenham on the opening day of the season. The London Double Header is an excellent concept, one which I know the players enjoy and it's a great stage on which to start what will be an exciting GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP campaign."

London Wasps are of course no strangers to Twickenham, having lifted the last three Premiership titles and won the first ever Anglo-Welsh Powergen Cup there in April.

Director of Rugby Ian McGeechan took time out from preparation for their GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP Semi Final against Sale Sharks to speak about his first experience of the London Double Header.

"The London Double Header is a great start to the season for rugby in London", said McGeechan. "With a double helping of London derbies for the supporters, it promises to be a great spectacle again in 2006. The atmosphere at these matches gets better every year, and with two GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP matches to enjoy on the day as well as the Twickenham venue, it's an excellent way to start the season."

Tickets for the London Double Header go on sale at 9am on Tuesday morning (16th May) and are available through Ticketmaster on 0870 902 000 and online (www.ticketmaster.co.uk). By booking early, fans will have the chance to obtain the best seats in the house, with a large crowd predicted for the matches.

This year, new seating arrangements will enhance the derby atmosphere still further. Areas of Twickenham will be reserved for the four different clubs and supporters of each club will be able to book tickets to sit in their area of the stadium, ensuring pockets of colour and noise.

Ticket prices are £40, £30 or £20 for adults and £10 for juniors. Each ticket will entitle you to see over two and a half hours of GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP rugby. With an average of over four tries per match in the GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP this season, the London Double Header promises great value.