I normally don’t get too excited about Premiership rugby - though I don’t mean that in a bad way, it’s just there’s usually enough going on in the Pro12 to keep me occupied on domestic weekends during the season.
But one major exception is the wonderfully-named JP Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s tournament, because it is has become the official curtain-raiser to the new season.
This year’s version has a couple of new features…first, unlike previous season where the different rounds take place on successive weeks, this time the preliminaries are held on successive nights.
But the biggest twist comes in the TV coverage. Much has been made about BT Sport’s entry into the telly market, and most of that has to do with their investment in soccer.
Well the new channel kicks off this Thursday August 1 with some quality egg-chasing, and I for one can’t wait.
When it comes to receiving BT Sport, it seems the Skys and the UPCs have been drip-feeding information as to exactly how Irish viewers can receive them, but from what I can gather the new channels will be received free in the early days regardless, so this particular competition should be available to all.
Warning though…apparently Chris Ashton is togging out for Saracens in the 7s…more space for him to do his stupid dive!
Thursday, August 1(Group A – Kingsholm)
Bath v Gloucester, 7:15pm
Exeter v Worcester, 7:40pm
Exeter v Bath, 8:10pm
Gloucester v Worcester, 8:35pm
Bath v Worcester, 9:05pm
Exeter v Gloucester, 9:30pm
Friday, August 2
(Group B – Franklin’s Gardens)
Newcastle v Northampton, 7:15pm
Leicester v Sale, 7:40pm
Leicester v Newcastle, 8:10pm
Northampton v Sale, 8:35pm
Newcastle v Sale, 9:05pm
Leicester v Northampton, 9:30pm
Saturday, August 3
(Group C – Allianz Park)
London Irish v Saracens, 7:15pm
Harlequins v London Wasps, 7:40pm
Harlequins v London Irish, 8:10pm
Saracens v London Wasps, 8:35pm
London Irish v London Wasps, 9:05pm
Harlequins v Saracens, 9:30pm
