Saracens reveal details of match with a Leicester Tigers XV

Saracens will host a Leicester Tigers XV in a pre-season friendly on Saturday 12th December with the club confirming 1,000 supporters will be able to attend the fixture.

With the RFU Championship yet to return, it will be the first rugby Saracens have played since the wrapping up of last season’s Gallagher Premiership.

The Government confirmed that London has been placed in Tier 2 of the localised COVID-19 restriction measures, meaning Copthall Stadium will be opening its doors for fans for the first time since the Men in Black faced the Tigers back in March.

George Kruis on his future in rugby:

George Kruis on his future in rugby:

The club said in a statement: “It represents a huge step in the right direction for the eventual safe return of a full allocation at home matches in NW4. The club will use this fixture as a pilot event to put its COVID-19 protocols into practice in order to be able to increase the attendance in the near future.”

“The 1,000 tickets will be available to Saracens Seasonal Members and will be allocated via an equal opportunity ballot.”

Kick-off is at 3pm.

Saracens were automatically relegated form the Gallagher Premiership for breaching salary cap regulations across at least three seasons.

The match against a Leicester XV is just the first exhibition match the side will play this coming season. Rather than allow their impending season in the Championship impact on their multi-year partnership with Spurs for once-a-year use of that facility, Saracens believe a 2021 fixture against a South African Super Rugby side the Stormers – potentially containing a number of World Cup-winning Springboks – will attract fans.

“We want to continue to provide our supporters with fantastic experiences and lasting memories and a game against the Stormers at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would certainly deliver that.”