BT Sport has confirmed the opening set of fixtures that will launch the new network’s exclusively live Aviva Premiership coverage.
Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards will be back in the spotlight when his newly-promoted side launch the 2013-14 Premiership season live only on BT Sport on Friday, September 6.
Bath will provide the opposition at Kingston Park for a game which will be first live Aviva Premiership match to be shown on the new BT Sport network.
It also marks Richards’ return to the Premiership after a four-year absence. He led Newcastle to the Championship title last season after serving a three-year ban for his involvement in the Harlequins bloodgate scandal.
BT Sport will show four live games over the opening weekend of the new season, including the traditional London Double Header at Twickenham on Saturday, September 7.
London Irish face Saracens at 2.00pm and London Wasps take on Harlequins at 4.30pm.
Wasps against Quins is a repeat of last season’s opening day clash, which produced a classic as Quins came from 40-13 down to win 42-40.
Champions Leicester start the defence of their title against Worcester at Welford Road on Sunday, September 8, another match which will be live on BT Sport.
The following week the Tigers go to Bath, one of their oldest rivals, for a match which celebrates the 100th anniversary of games between the two clubs. They first met on September 13, 1913.
The line-up of games on the opening weekend is completed by last season’s runners-up Northampton against Exeter and Gloucester against Sale.
BT Sport will screen at least three live matches every weekend. Kick-off times for live matches are 7.45pm on Fridays, 3.15pm on Saturdays and 2.00pm on Sundays.
The new sports network, launching on August 1, will be the exclusive home of all live Aviva Premiership matches for four years from the start of the 2013/14, showing up to 69 matches a season.
Simon Green, Head of BT Sport, said: “BT Sport is the new home of club rugby and we’ll be broadcasting 69 live and exclusive Aviva Premiership Rugby games across the season.
“Friday night’s coverage will be anchored live from the grounds with games broadcast live on a Saturday and Sunday from the BT Sport Studio.”
“We have a fantastic rugby team in place. Hosted by Craig Doyle, commentary will be provided by Nick Mullins and Alastair Eykyn who will be joined by BT Sport rugby experts, Lawrence Dallaglio, Ben Kay, Matt Dawson and Austin Healey. Reporting duties fall to Sarra Elgan and Martin Bayfield.
“I’m also delighted to announce a new Wednesday night show, Rugby Tonight, which will be hosted by Matt Dawson, Craig Doyle, Martin Bayfield and Sarra Elgan, which will offer a mixture of rugby analysis, debate and lively entertainment.”
In addition to Aviva Premiership action, BT Sport will also show exclusively live coverage of the J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s Series and the new World Club 7s competition in August. BT’s channels will also have live coverage from the French Top 14 competition.
Confirmed live games below:
ROUND 1 Friday 6th September Newcastle Falcons v Bath (7.45pm) Saturday 7th September London Irish v Saracens (2.00pm) Wasps v Harlequins (4.30pm) Sunday 8th September Leicester Tigers v Worcester Warriors (2.00pm)
ROUND 2
Friday 13th September
Harlequins v Northampton Saints (7.45pm)
Saturday 14th September
Bath v Leicester Tigers (3.15pm)
Sunday 15th September
Saracens v Gloucester (2.00pm)
ROUND 3
Friday 20th September
Worcester Warriors v Harlequins (7.45pm)
Saturday 21st September
Gloucester v Northampton Saints (3.15pm)
Sunday 22nd September
Saracens v Bath (2.00pm)
ROUND 4
Friday 27th September
Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks (7.45pm)
Saturday 28th September
Harlequins v Saracens (3.15pm)
Sunday 29th September
Exeter Chiefs v Leicester Tigers (2.00pm)
ROUND 5
Friday 4th October
Sale Sharks v Bath (7.45pm)
Saturday 5th October
Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints (3.15pm)
Sunday 6th October
Gloucester v Exeter Chiefs (2.00pm)
ROUND 6
Friday 25th October
Bath v Gloucester (7.45pm)
Saturday 26th October
Northampton Saints v Saracens (3.15pm)
Sunday 27th October
Wasps v Leicester Tigers (2.00pm)
ROUND 7
Friday 1st November
Worcester Warriors v Bath (7.45pm)
Saturday 2nd November
Leicester Tigers v Harlequins (5.30pm)
Sunday 3rd November
London Irish v Northampton Saints (2pm)
