Reigning champions Leicester begin PREM Rugby Cup defence in London

Leicester’s bid to become the first team to retain the PREM Rugby Cup since its inception in 2019 will begin away to Harlequins on the first Saturday in September.

The Tigers became the seventh different holders of the trophy when they thrashed Exeter 66-14 in the final at Mattioli Wood Welford Road back in March.

The competition gave Geoff Parling some silverware in his first season in charge, with several young and fringe players using the Cup to press forward their case for regular league action.

Four players featured in all 10 of Leicester’s Cup matches, including loose forward Harry Palmer and prop Ale Loman, who both made their PREM Rugby debuts in the same season.

TNT Sports will once again broadcast a match from every round of the competition, which follows the same format as before.

The West Country derby between Bristol and Gloucester has been selected by TNT Sports in Round One, with Harlequins’ home game against Northampton confirmed as the televised fixture in Round Two.

Once again, Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Gloucester and Sale Sharks are in Pool A, while Pool B consists of Harlequins, Leicester, Newcastle, Northampton and Saracens.

Exeter and Newcastle, who sit out the opening weekend, begin their Cup campaigns in Round 2, at home to Bristol and away to Leicester, respectively.

After two rounds in September, the remaining pool matches will be played in two blocks – during the international windows in November and in January/February.

Round 1 opening fixtures – 5/6 September

Sat Sept 5 – Pool A: Bristol v Gloucester, KO 3pm (TNT)
Sat Sept 5 – Pool B: Saracens v Northampton, KO 3pm
Sat Sept 5 – Pool B: Harlequins v Leicester, KO 3pm
Sun Sept 6 – Pool A: Sale v Bath, KO 3pm