Our attendances rose again last season to average over 10,000 per match for the first time ever, meaning over 1.3 million people came to watch Guinness Premiership matches at our grounds last season. We hope to build on that figure yet again, starting with 100,000 people at our round one matches."

Of last season's try scorers, nine of the top eleven were English players, with Tom Varndell finishing as top scorer with fourteen.

"The statistics show that the Guinness Premiership is an effective proving ground for English players, providing intense competition and giving players the platform to compete for international places.

The increasing attendances show that we have an attractive product that welcomes nearly 65,000 people through the turnstiles every week in the Guinness Premiership. We hope to see attendances rise yet again, beginning with a record crowd of over 100,000 for round one."

Round one matches:

Saturday 2nd September
14:00 London Irish v NEC Harlequins Twickenham
15:00 Gloucester Rugby v Bath Rugby Kingsholm
15:00 Worcester Warriors v Bristol Rugby Sixways
16:20 Saracens v London Wasps Twickenham

Sunday 3rd September
13:45 Northampton Saints v Newcastle Falcons Franklin's Gardens
16:00 Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks Welford Road