Premiership Rugby confirms season return and opening round fixtures with Harlequins vs Sale on August 14

Premiership Rugby has confirmed that their season will resume after a 159-day gap on August 14, as Harlequins take on Sale at the Stoop.

To squeeze in fixtures eight rounds of fixtures and play-offs before a final on October 24, the league has brought three rounds of midweek games.

The first come on August 25, when Wasps play Sale and Bristol – who will have Kyle Sinckler and Semi Radradra in their ranks for the run in – meet Exeter. Each team will have an “absolute minimum” four days between matches.

Teams are now back in contact training and the first round of testing revealed 10 positive tests for coronavirus.

"It’s in line with expectations, in terms of the first round of testing," said Premiership Rugby chief executive Darren Childs. "We have had to put in one of the most rigorous testing regimes in elite sport, which has taken us some time.”

There will be no wriggle room whatsoever for rescheduling matches, with European competition needing to be completed too.

Harlequins Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said: “We are delighted to be the first club back hosting a fixture as the Gallagher Premiership recommences. It has, of course, been an unprecedented time – the global impact of COVID-19 has been seismic.”

London Irish need to work out where to play as their contract at the Madejski Stadium is up, but their new west London ground, shared with Brentford FC, will not be ready next month.

Read more

Premiership Rugby coronavirus testing returns 10 positive results