Rugby bosses snub Wembley switch

The Guinness Premiership clubs initially felt the added "wow factor" of staging the event at the 90,000 capacity Wembley could help bolster interest in the domestic game while the World Cup is on.

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But it eventually came down to a "commercial decision" - one factor could be the Rugby Football Union provide Twickenham at cost price - and the double-header remains at HQ.

The new season kicks off on the weekend of September 15 and 16, with Heineken Cup winners Wasps meeting Saracens and London Irish tackling Harlequins.

Reigning Premiership champions Leicester open their title defence away at Bristol while newly promoted Leeds host Gloucester, the beaten grand finalists last season.

Worcester, who escaped relegation on the final day and are now bossed by new director of rugby Mike Ruddock, travel to struggling Bath on the opening weekend while Newcastle host Sale.

The Premiership will be a disjointed affair this season with the first six rounds taking place during the World Cup.

And between the weekends of October 20 and December 22 there will be just one round of league matches - on November 24 - as clubs squeeze in the EDF Energy Cup and European competition.

At present the dates of all fixtures remain provisional and are subject to change.

But the initial fixture list indicates there will be no repeat of last season's brutal schedule over Christmas, when the clubs were being asked to play four times in 16 days.

There are currently no fixtures planned for Boxing Day or New Year's Day, with Premiership rounds eight and nine scheduled for the weekends before and after Christmas.