BT set to televise Gallagher Premiership games, four games free to air

Gallagher Premiership

The Gallagher Premiership is back and will kick off at The Stoop on August 14 when Harlequins take on Sale Sharks in their round 14 match-up. Robert Rees has all the latest from the fixtures announcement.

Round 14 fixtures

  • August 14, Harlequins vs Sale Sharks
  • August 15, Exeter Chiefs vs Leicester Tigers
  • August 15, Bath vs London Irish
  • August 15, Worcester Warriors vs Gloucester
  • August 15, Bristol Bears vs Saracens
  • August 16, Northampton Saints vs Wasps

Round 15

  • August 21, Sale Sharks vs Exeter Chiefs
  • August 21, Gloucester vs Bristol Bears
  • August 21, Wasps vs Worcester Warriors
  • August 22, Saracens vs Harlequins
  • August 22, London Irish vs Northampton Saints
  • August 22, Leicester Tigers vs Bath

Round 16

  • August 25, Wasps vs Sale Sharks
  • August 25, Bristol Bears vs Exeter Chiefs
  • August 26, Saracens vs Gloucester
  • August 26, Worcester Warriors vs Harlequins
  • August 26, Northampton Saints vs Bath
  • August 26, Leicester Tigers vs London Irish

Round 17

  • August 29, Sale Sharks vs Bristol Bears
  • August 30, Harlequins vs Northampton Saints
  • August 30, Exeter Chiefs vs Worcester Warriors
  • August 30, London Irish vs Saracens
  • August 30, Gloucester vs Leicester Tigers
  • August 31, Bath vs Wasps
Gallagher Premiership
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 21: Manu Tuilagi of Leicester Tigers looks on during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Leicester Tigers and Exeter Chiefs at on December 21, 2019 in Leicester, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Premiership Rugby CEO Darren Childs confirmed that BT will be televising ‘most games’ and that there will be four matches appearing on free to air television.

Childs also advised that no teams would play in less than a four-day turnaround, for player welfare, and has stated further scheduling for times and free to air selections is yet to be fully decided.

“We’ve also ensured that four matches will be free to air on Channel 5, we’re still in the process of selection and that’ll be released shortly.”

This announcement will also confirm the next four rounds of Premiership fixtures.

Childs also confirmed the final will be held on October 24.

Club respond positively

“The reaction has been positive. It was clear early on that we wanted to keep the integrity of the competition and if possible, we wanted to avoid cancelling rounds or awarding points,” said Childs.

“Every single clubs if on board and supportive of the schedule.”

Contingencies in place should local lockdowns take place

With Leicester having recently entered a ‘local lockdown’ as a city, Premiership Rugby have confirmed there are contingencies in place should a side not be able to play at home, with Twickenham discussed as a potential option as a neutral venue.

Despite these measures, Premiership Rugby have said there is no room in the calendar for a re-scheduled game.

“As part of the ‘Return to play’ under DCMS we were required to list contingency plans and we’re working on that. There is no room in the calendar to re-schedule. There are a number of options available to us.

“Looking at the recent Leicester lockdown, Public Health England were happy to continue sport in those areas,” said Premiership Rugby Director Phil Winstanley.

Sale Sharks Announce Plans for New Stadium and Sports Village
GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 29: Steve Diamond, Sale Sharks’ Director of Rugby talks to his players following their victory during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Gloucester Rugby and Sale Sharks at Kingsholm Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Gloucester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

London Irish have no home…

Premiership Rugby have today confirmed that London Irish can no longer play at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and so talks are currently in place to find another suitable venue before their move to Brentford is complete.

“London Irish do have to leave the Madejski. A number of options have been made available to them and we hope to confirm that in the next few days. WE think we have a solution for that.”

 

 

“Main photo credit”

Gallagher Premiership
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 11: Members of the 12 Gallagher Premiership Rugby Sides pose for a photo. The Gallagher Premiership Rugby 2019-20 season restarts on Friday August 14th with Harlequins hosting Sale Sharks. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for Premiership Rugby)