There is palpable excitement in the South-West corner of England, where Exeter Chiefs are preparing for their first season in rugby’s top flight.

In recent years, the club that is relegated from the Premiership has been able to bounce straight back up again, but Exeter managed to buck that trend last season by beating Bristol to the title.

The Chiefs had led the Championship during the first part of the season before falling behind Bristol at the end of the ‘regular’ season, and their clinical and ruthless performance in the two-legged final was a surprise to many as they won promotion to the Aviva Premiership.

Usually the team promoted from the Championship knows what to expect: Bristol, Harlequins, Leeds, Northampton had all been there before when they regained their place in the upper echelon, but it’s all new to Exeter and that adds an extra dimension of excitement about the new season.

The Chiefs have been busy strengthening their squad over the summer, tempting full-back Luke Arscott and Number 8 James Phillips from rivals Bristol and signing Bath’s Ryan Davis and the ex-Bath player Andrew Higgins to form the backbone of their side.

Fitness coach Paddy Anson and fellow former Royal Marines Mark Twiggs and Dave Silvester have been studying their new Premiership rivals and identifying areas of improvement for their own players – strength and fitness are obviously key areas where they’ll have to match or better their opposition, and sadly there is no substitute for hard work.

Pre-season training has been fairly unpleasant by all accounts – including Unforgiving Fridays – but it sounds like they will start the season in good shape, and not surprisingly, the players can’t wait for their first Premiership fixture at home to Gloucester in September.

Sandy Park was one of the few Championship grounds that would have passed the Premiership entry criteria, and the 10,000-seater stadium will no doubt be packed to the rafters for their season opener. The crowd could play a big part in the Chiefs’ fortunes, and if visiting teams find it difficult to win away at Exeter, they should avoid the drop. There is a fanatical west country following, and the players have been out and about enhancing their profile in the community to further build that supporter base.

The squad recently spent a day on Exmouth Beach – an hour of canoeing, paddling a surfboard and swimming was on the fitness agenda before a slightly more light-hearted sandcastle-building competition with local children and holidaymakers invited to join in. They’ll now enjoy a week of rest before building up to their pre-season fixtures against Cardiff Blues, Cornish Pirates and Llanelli Scarlets in August.

Leeds’ successful campaign to avoid relegation last season was based fundamentally on two things: squad fitness and relentless determination. The Chiefs will be aiming for the same result, and with their partisan crowd and a little bit of luck along the way, they might just survive – I for one hope that they do.

ROUND 1

THURSDAY 7 OCTOBER, 2010
Pool 3, Newcastle Falcons v Bourgoin, 19.45, Sky Sports
Pool 4, Stade Français Paris v Crociati Rugby, 20.45, Eurosport France

FRIDAY 8 OCTOBER, 2010
Pool 2, Sale Sharks v Cetransa El Salvador, 19.45
Pool 2, Brive v Petrarca Rugby, 20.00
Pool 5, Agen v Gloucester Rugby, 18.30, Eurosport France

SATURDAY 9 OCTOBER, 2010
Pool 1, Cavalieri Prato v Connacht Rugby, 15.00
Pool 3, Exeter Chiefs v Montpellier, 15.00
Pool 4, Bucuresti Oaks v Leeds Carnegie, 15.00
Pool 5, Rugby Rovigo v La Rochelle, 15.00

SUNDAY 10 OCTOBER, 2010
Pool 1, Bayonne v Harlequins, 18.45, FR4

ROUND 2

THURSDAY 14 OCTOBER, 2010
Pool 3, Montpellier v Newcastle Falcons, 20.45, Eurosport France

FRIDAY 15 OCTOBER, 2010
Pool 1, Connacht Rugby v Bayonne, 19.00
Pool 3, Bourgoin v Exeter Chiefs, 19.30

SATURDAY 16 OCTOBER, 2010
Pool 1, Harlequins v Cavalieri Prato, 15.00
Pool 2, Cetransa El Salvador v Brive , 16.30
Pool 2, Petrarca Rugby v Sale Sharks, 15.00
Pool 4, Bucuresti Oaks v Crociati Rugby, 15.00
Pool 5, La Rochelle v Agen, 20.45, Eurosport France
Pool 5, Gloucester Rugby v Rugby Rovigo, 15.00

SUNDAY 17 OCTOBER, 2010
Pool 4, Leeds Carnegie v Stade Français Paris, 17.45, Sky Sports

ROUND 3

THURSDAY 9 DECEMBER, 2010
Pool 3, Montpellier v Bourgoin, 20.45, Eurosport France

SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER, 2010
Pool 2, Brive v Sale Sharks, 20.45, FR4
Pool 2, Petrarca Rugby v Cetransa El Salvador, 15.00
Pool 3, Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Falcons, 15.00
Pool 4, Bucuresti Oaks v Stade Français Paris, 15.00
Pool 5, La Rochelle v Gloucester Rugby, 18.30
Pool 5, Rugby Rovigo v Agen, 15.00

SUNDAY 12 DECEMBER, 2010
Pool 1, Bayonne v Cavalieri Prato, 18.45, Eurosport France
Pool 1, Harlequins v Connacht Rugby, 17.45, Sky Sports
Pool 4, Leeds Carnegie v Crociati Rugby, 15.00

ROUND 4

THURSDAY 16 DECEMBER, 2010
Pool 4, Stade Français Paris v Bucuresti Oaks, 20.45, Eurosport France

FRIDAY 17 DECEMBER, 2010
Pool 1, Connacht Rugby v Harlequins, 19.00

SATURDAY 18 DECEMBER, 2010
Pool 1, Cavalieri Prato v Bayonne, 15.00
Pool 3, Bourgoin v Montpellier, 20.45, Eurosport France
Pool 5, Agen v Rugby Rovigo, 14.30

SUNDAY 19 DECEMBER, 2010
Pool 2, Sale Sharks v Brive, 15.00
Pool 2, Cetransa El Salvador v Petrarca Rugby, 12.30
Pool 3, Newcastle Falcons v Exeter Chiefs, 15.00
Pool 4, Crociati Rugby v Leeds Carnegie, 14.30
Pool 5, Gloucester Rugby v La Rochelle, 17.45, Sky Sports

ROUND 5

13 / 14 / 15 / 16 JANUARY, 2011
Pool 1, Cavalieri Prato v Harlequins
Pool 1, Bayonne v Connacht Rugby
Pool 2, Sale Sharks v Petrarca Rugby
Pool 2, Brive v Cetransa El Salvador
Pool 3, Newcastle Falcons v Montpellier
Pool 3, Exeter Chiefs v Bourgoin
Pool 4, Stade Français Paris v Leeds Carnegie
Pool 4, Crociati Rugby v Bucuresti Oaks
Pool 5, Agen v La Rochelle
Pool 5, Rugby Rovigo v Gloucester Rugby

ROUND 6

20 / 21 / 22 / 23 JANUARY, 2011
Pool 1, Harlequins v Bayonne
Pool 1, Connacht Rugby v Cavalieri Prato
Pool 2, Petrarca Rugby v Brive
Pool 2, Cetransa El Salvador v Sale Sharks
Pool 3, Montpellier v Exeter Chiefs
Pool 3, Bourgoin v Newcastle Falcons
Pool 4, Leeds Carnegie v Bucuresti Oaks
Pool 4, Crociati Rugby v Stade Français Paris
Pool 5, La Rochelle v Rugby Rovigo
Pool 5, Gloucester Rugby v Agen

QUARTER-FINALS
7 / 8 / 9 / 10 APRIL, 2011

SEMI-FINALS
30 APRIL / 1 MAY, 2011

15th AMLIN CHALLENGE CUP FINAL
20 / 21 / 22 MAY, 2011

This news isn’t quite as ridiculous as Jerry Collins playing for Barnstaple’s twos, but it’s a great story. Having left Sale’s coaching team at the end of last season, Jason Robinson is dusting off his boots to play for Fylde in Lancashire.

It sounds like there might be a sudden surge of interest in National Two North, and it will be interesting to keep an eye on how he gets on.

Round 2
10/11/12 Sep, Aironi Rugby v Ulster, Stadio Zaffanella
10/11/12 Sep, Edinburgh v Munster, Murrayfield
10/11/12 Sep, Leinster v Blues, Royal Dublin Society
10/11/12 Sep, Dragons v Warriors, Rodney Parade
10/11/12 Sep, Ospreys v Benetton Treviso, Liberty Stadium
10/11/12 Sep, Scarlets v Connacht, Parc y Scarlets

Round 3
17/18/19 Sep, Benetton Treviso v Leinster, Stadio di Monigo
17/18/19 Sep, Blues v Dragons, Cardiff City Stadium
17/18/19 Sep, Warriors v Connacht, Firhill Stadium
17/18/19 Sep, Munster v Ospreys, Thomond Park Stadium
17/18/19 Sep, Scarlets v Aironi Rugby, Parc y Scarlets
17/18/19 Sep, Ulster v Edinburgh, Ravenhill

Round 4
24/25/26 Sep, Benetton Treviso v Blues, Stadio di Monigo
24/25/26 Sep, Connacht v Ulster, Sportsground
24/25/26 Sep, Edinburgh v Leinster, Murrayfield
24/25/26 Sep, Warriors v Munster, Firhill Stadium
24/25/26 Sep, Dragons v Scarlets, Rodney Parade
24/25/26 Sep, Ospreys v Aironi Rugby, Liberty Stadium

Round 5
1/2/3 Oct , Aironi Rugby v Edinburgh , Stadio Zaffanella
1/2/3 Oct , Blues v Connacht, Cardiff City Stadium
1/2/3 Oct , Leinster v Munster, Royal Dublin Society
1/2/3 Oct, Dragons v Benetton Treviso, Rodney Parade
1/2/3 Oct , Scarlets v Ospreys, Parc y Scarlets
1/2/3 Oct, Ulster v Warriors, Ravenhill

Round 6
22/23/24 Oct, Blues v Scarlets, Cardiff City Stadium
22/23/24 Oct, Connacht v Leinster, Sportsground
22/23/24 Oct, Edinburgh v Ulster, Murrayfield
22/23/24 Oct, Warriors v Ospreys, Firhill Stadium
22/23/24 Oct, Munster v Benetton Treviso, Thomond Park Stadium
22/23/24 Oct, Dragons v Aironi Rugby, Rodney Parade

Round 7
29/30/31 Oct, Aironi Rugby v Blues, Stadio Zaffanella
29/30/31 Oct, Benetton Treviso v Connacht, Stadio di Monigo
29/30/31 Oct, Leinster v Edinburgh, Royal Dublin Society
29/30/31 Oct, Ospreys v Dragons, Liberty Stadium
29/30/31 Oct, Scarlets v Warriors, Parc y Scarlets
29/30/31 Oct, Ulster v Munster, Ravenhill

Round 8
5/6/7 Nov, Edinburgh v Benetton Treviso, Murrayfield
5/6/7 Nov, Warriors v Aironi Rugby, Firhill Stadium
19/20/21 Nov, Blues v Ulster, Cardiff City Stadium
19/20/21 Nov, Connacht v Ospreys, Sportsground
19/20/21 Nov, Leinster v Dragons, Royal Dublin Society
19/20/21 Nov, Munster v Scarlets, Musgrave Park

Round 9
26/27/28 Nov, Aironi Rugby v Scarlets, Stadio Zaffanella
26/27/28 Nov, Benetton Treviso v Ulster, Stadio di Monigo
26/27/28 Nov, Blues v Warriors, Cardiff City Stadium
26/27/28 Nov, Edinburgh v Connacht, Murrayfield
26/27/28 Nov, Dragons v Munster, Rodney Parade
26/27/28 Nov, Ospreys v Leinster, Liberty Stadium

Round 10
3/4/5 Dec, Connacht v Aironi Rugby, Sportsground
3/4/5 Dec, Warriors v Benetton Treviso, Firhill Stadium
3/4/5 Dec, Munster v Blues, Thomond Park Stadium
3/4/5 Dec, Ospreys v Edinburgh, Liberty Stadium
3/4/5 Dec, Scarlets v Leinster, Parc y Scarlets
3/4/5 Dec, Ulster v Dragons, Ravenhill

Round 11
24/25/26 Dec, Benetton Treviso v Aironi Rugby, Stadio di Monigo
24/25/26 Dec, Connacht v Munster, Sportsground
24/25/26 Dec, Warriors v Edinburgh, Firhill Stadium
24/25/26 Dec, Dragons v Blues, Rodney Parade
24/25/26 Dec, Ospreys v Scarlets, Liberty Stadium
24/25/26 Dec, Ulster v Leinster, Ravenhill

Round 12
31 Dec, Aironi Rugby v Benetton Treviso, Stadio Zaffanella
31 Dec, Blues v Ospreys, Cardiff City Stadium
31 Dec, Edinburgh v Warriors, Murrayfield
31 Dec, Leinster v Connacht, Royal Dublin Society
31 Dec, Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park Stadium
31 Dec, Scarlets v Dragons, Parc y Scarlets

Round 13
7/8/9 Jan, Blues v Aironi Rugby, Cardiff City Stadium
7/8/9 Jan, Edinburgh v Scarlets, Murrayfield
7/8/9 Jan, Leinster v Ospreys, Royal Dublin Society
7/8/9 Jan, Munster v Warriors, Musgrave Park
7/8/9 Jan, Dragons v Connacht, Rodney Parade
7/8/9 Jan, Ulster v Benetton Treviso, Ravenhill

Round 14
11/12/13 Feb, Benetton Treviso v Munster, Stadio di Monigo
11/12/13 Feb, Connacht v Scarlets, Sportsground
11/12/13 Feb, Warriors v Blues, Firhill Stadium
11/12/13 Feb, Leinster v Aironi Rugby, Royal Dublin Society
11/12/13 Feb, Dragons v Edinburgh, Rodney Parade
11/12/13 Feb, Ospreys v Ulster, Liberty Stadium

Round 15
18/19/20 Feb, Aironi Rugby v Dragons, Stadio Zaffanella
18/19/20 Feb, Benetton Treviso v Ospreys, Stadio di Monigo
18/19/20 Feb, Blues v Leinster, Cardiff City Stadium
18/19/20 Feb, Connacht v Warriors, Sportsground
18/19/20 Feb, Munster v Edinburgh, Thomond Park Stadium
18/19/20 Feb, Scarlets v Ulster, Parc y Scarlets

Round 16
25/26/27 Feb, Aironi Rugby v Munster, Stadio Zaffanella
25/26/27 Feb, Warriors v Dragons, Firhill Stadium
25/26/27 Feb, Leinster v Benetton Treviso, Royal Dublin Society
25/26/27 Feb, Ospreys v Connacht, Liberty Stadium
25/26/27 Feb, Scarlets v Edinburgh, Parc y Scarlets
25/26/27 Feb, Ulster v Blues, Ravenhill

Round 17
4/5/6 Mar, Connacht v Benetton Treviso, Sportsground
4/5/6 Mar, Edinburgh v Blues, Murrayfield
4/5/6 Mar, Leinster v Scarlets, Royal Dublin Society
4/5/6 Mar, Munster v Dragons, Musgrave Park
4/5/6 Mar, Ospreys v Warriors, Liberty Stadium
4/5/6 Mar, Ulster v Aironi Rugby, Ravenhill

Round 18
25/26/27 Mar, Aironi Rugby v Connacht, Stadio Zaffanella
25/26/27 Mar, Blues v Munster, Cardiff City Stadium
25/26/27 Mar, Edinburgh v Ospreys, Murrayfield
25/26/27 Mar, Warriors v Ulster, Firhill Stadium
25/26/27 Mar, Dragons v Leinster, Rodney Parade
25/26/27 Mar, Scarlets v Benetton Treviso, Parc y Scarlets

Round 19
1/2/3 Apr , Aironi Rugby v Warriors, Stadio Zaffanella
1/2/3 Apr , Benetton Treviso v Dragons, Stadio di Monigo
1/2/3 Apr , Connacht v Edinburgh, Sportsground
1/2/3 Apr , Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park Stadium
1/2/3 Apr , Ospreys v Blues, Liberty Stadium
1/2/3 Apr , Ulster v Scarlets, Ravenhill

Round 20
15/16/17 Apr, Benetton Treviso v Warriors, Stadio di Monigo
15/16/17 Apr, Connacht v Blues, Sportsground
15/16/17 Apr, Edinburgh v Aironi Rugby, Murrayfield
15/16/17 Apr, Leinster v Ulster, Royal Dublin Society
15/16/17 Apr, Dragons v Ospreys, Rodney Parade
15/16/17 Apr, Scarlets v Munster, Parc y Scarlets

Round 21
22/23/24 Apr, Aironi Rugby v Leinster, Stadio Zaffanella
22/23/24 Apr, Blues v Benetton Treviso, Cardiff City Stadium
22/23/24 Apr, Edinburgh v Dragons, Murrayfield
22/23/24 Apr, Warriors v Scarlets, Firhill Stadium
22/23/24 Apr, Ospreys v Munster, Liberty Stadium
22/23/24 Apr, Ulster v Connacht, Ravenhill

Round 22
6/7/8 May, Aironi Rugby v Ospreys, Stadio Zaffanella
6/7/8 May, Benetton Treviso v Edinburgh , Stadio di Monigo
6/7/8 May, Leinster v Warriors, Royal Dublin Society
6/7/8 May, Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park Stadium
6/7/8 May, Dragons v Ulster, Rodney Parade
6/7/8 May, Scarlets v Blues, Parc y Scarlets

Semi-Finals
14/15/16 May, TBA
14/15/16 May, TBA

Final
28/29/30 May, TBA

Round 1
Fri 3rd Sep 10, 19:45, Sale Sharks v Newcastle Falcons, Edgeley Park
Sat 4th Sep 10, 14:00, London Irish v Saracens Twickenham, ESPN
Sat 4th Sep 10,15:00, Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester Rugby, Sandy Park
Sat 4th Sep 10, 16:30, London Wasps v Harlequins, Twickenham, ESPN More
Sun 5th Sep 10, 15:00, Leeds Carnegie v Bath Rugby, Headingley Carnegie
Sun 5th Sep 10, 15:00, Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers, Franklin’s Gardens, Sky

Round 2
Fri 10th Sep 10, 20:00, Newcastle Falcons v London Wasps, Kingston Park
Sat 11th Sep 10, 13:30, Harlequins v Northampton Saints, Twickenham Stoop, Sky
Sat 11th Sep 10, 14:15, Bath Rugby v London Irish, Recreation Ground
Sat 11th Sep 10, 15:00, Gloucester Rugby v Leeds Carnegie, Kingsholm
Sat 11th Sep 10, 17:30, Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs, Welford Road, ESPN
Sun 12th Sep 10, 14:15, Saracens v Sale Sharks Vicarage Road, ESPN

Round 3
Fri 17th Sep 10, 19:45, Northampton Saints v Bath Rugby, Franklin’s Gardens, ESPN
Fri 17th Sep 10, 19:45, Sale Sharks v Harlequins, Edgeley Park
Sat 18th Sep 10, 15:00, Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Falcons, Sandy Park
Sat 18th Sep 10, 15:05, London Wasps v Leicester Tigers, Adams Park Sky
Sun 19th Sep 10, 14:15, London Irish v Gloucester Rugby, Madejski Stadium, ESPN
Sun 19th Sep 10, 15:00, Leeds Carnegie v Saracens, Headingley Carnegie

Round 4
Sat 25th Sep 10, 14:15, Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks, Recreation Ground
Sat 25th Sep 10, 14:30, Gloucester Rugby v London Wasps, Kingsholm, ESPN
Sat 25th Sep 10, 15:00, Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs, Twickenham Stoop
Sat 25th Sep 10, 15:00, Leicester Tigers v Leeds Carnegie, Welford Road
Sat 25th Sep 10, 17:15, Newcastle Falcons v London Irish, Kingston Park, Sky
Sun 26th Sep 10, 15:00, Saracens v Northampton Saints Vicarage Road, ESPN

Round 5
Fri 1st Oct 10, 19:45, Sale Sharks v London Wasps, Edgeley Park
Fri 1st Oct 10, 20:05, Bath Rugby v Gloucester Rugby, Recreation Ground, Sky
Sat 2nd Oct 10, 15:00, Harlequins v Newcastle Falcons, Twickenham Stoop
Sat 2nd Oct 10, 15:00, London Irish v Leeds Carnegie, Madejski Stadium
Sat 2nd Oct 10, 15:00, Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs, Franklin’s Gardens
Sun 3rd Oct 10, 16:30, Saracens v Leicester Tigers, Vicarage Road ESPN

Round 6
Fri 22nd Oct 10, 19:45, Leeds Carnegie v Sale Sharks, Headingley Carnegie, ESPN
Fri 22nd Oct 10, 20:00, Newcastle Falcons v Saracens, Kingston Park
Sat 23rd Oct 10, 14:30, Leicester Tigers v Bath Rugby, Welford Road, ESPN
Sat 23rd Oct 10, 15:00, Gloucester Rugby v Harlequins, Kingsholm
Sat 23rd Oct 10, 17:15, Exeter Chiefs v London Irish, Sandy Park, Sky
Sun 24th Oct 10, 15:00, London Wasps v Northampton Saints, Adams Park

Round 7
Sat 30th Oct 10 , 14:30, Northampton Saints v Newcastle Falcons, Franklin’s Gardens, ESPN
Sat 30th Oct 10 , 15:00, Saracens v Exeter Chiefs, Vicarage Road
Sat 30th Oct 10 , 17:30, Gloucester Rugby v Leicester Tigers, Kingsholm, Sky
Sun 31st Oct 10, 15:00, Harlequins v Bath Rugby, Twickenham Stoop, ESPN
Sun 31st Oct 10, 15:00, Leeds Carnegie v London Wasps, Headingley Carnegie
Sun 31st Oct 10, 15:00, London Irish v Sale Sharks, Madejski Stadium

Round 8
Fri 19th Nov 10 , 19:45, Sale Sharks v Northampton Saints, Edgeley Park
Sat 20th Nov 10, 12:30, Bath Rugby v Saracens, Recreation Ground
Sat 20th Nov 10, 15:00, Exeter Chiefs v Leeds Carnegie, Sandy Park
Sat 20th Nov 10, 15:00, Leicester Tigers v Harlequins, Welford Road
Sun 21st Nov 10, 15:00, London Wasps v London Irish, Adams Park
Sun 21st Nov 10, 15:00, Newcastle Falcons v Gloucester Rugby, Kingston Park

Round 9
Sat 27th Nov 10, 12:30, Bath Rugby v London Wasps, Recreation Ground
Sat 27th Nov 10, 15:00, Exeter Chiefs v Sale Sharks, Sandy Park
Sat 27th Nov 10, 15:00, Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons, Welford Road
Sat 27th Nov 10, 15:00, Northampton Saints v London Irish, Franklin’s Gardens
Sat 27th Nov 10, 16:30, Gloucester Rugby v Saracens, Kingsholm
Sun 28th Nov 10, 15:00, Harlequins v Leeds Carnegie, Twickenham Stoop

Round 10
Fri 3rd Dec 10, 19:45, Sale Sharks v Gloucester Rugby, Edgeley Park
Fri 3rd Dec 10, 20:00, Newcastle Falcons v Bath Rugby, Kingston Park
Sat 4th Dec 10, 15:00, London Irish v Leicester Tigers, Madejski Stadium
Sun 5th Dec 10, 15:00, Leeds Carnegie v Northampton Saints, Headingley Carnegie
Sun 5th Dec 10 , 15:00, London Wasps v Exeter Chiefs, Adams Park
Sun 5th Dec 10 , 15:00, Saracens v Harlequins, Vicarage Road

Round 11
Sun 26th Dec 10, 14:15, Bath Rugby v Exeter Chiefs, Recreation Ground
Sun 26th Dec 10, 15:00, Gloucester Rugby v Northampton Saints, Kingsholm
Sun 26th Dec 10, 15:00, Newcastle Falcons v Leeds Carnegie, Kingston Park
Sun 26th Dec 10, 15:00, Saracens v London Wasps, Vicarage Road
Mon 27th Dec 10, 15:00, Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks, Welford Road
Mon 27th Dec 10, 16:15, Harlequins v London Irish, Twickenham

Round 12
Sat 1st Jan 11, 15:00, Exeter Chiefs v Leicester Tigers, Sandy Park
Sat 1st Jan 11, 15:00, Leeds Carnegie v Gloucester Rugby, Headingley Carnegie
Sat 1st Jan 11, 15:00, London Irish v Bath Rugby, Madejski Stadium
Sat 1st Jan 11, 15:00, Northampton Saints v Harlequins, Franklin’s Gardens
Sun 2nd Jan 11, 15:00, London Wasps v Newcastle Falcons, Adams Park
Sun 2nd Jan 11, 15:00, Sale Sharks v Saracens, Edgeley Park

Round 13
Sat 8th Jan 11, 14:15, Bath Rugby v Leeds Carnegie, Recreation Ground
Sat 8th Jan 11, 15:00, Gloucester Rugby v Exeter Chiefs, Kingsholm
Sat 8th Jan 11, 15:00, Harlequins v London Wasps, Twickenham Stoop
Sat 8th Jan 11, 15:00, Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints, Welford Road
Sun 9th Jan 11, 15:00, Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks, Kingston Park
Sun 9th Jan 11, 15:00, Saracens v London Irish, Vicarage Road

Round 14
Fri 11th Feb 11, 19:45, Sale Sharks v Bath Rugby, Edgeley Park
Sat 12th Feb 11, 12:30, London Irish v Newcastle Falcons, Madejski Stadium
Sat 12th Feb 11, 15:00, Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins, Sandy Park
Sat 12th Feb 11, 15:00, Northampton Saints v Saracens, Franklin’s Gardens
Sun 13th Feb 11, 15:00, Leeds Carnegie v Leicester Tigers, Headingley Carnegie
Sun 13th Feb 11, 15:00, London Wasps v Gloucester Rugby, Adams Park

Round 15
Fri 18th Feb 11, 20:00, Newcastle Falcons v Exeter Chiefs, Kingston Park
Sat 19th Feb 11, 14:15, Bath Rugby v Northampton Saints, Recreation Ground
Sat 19th Feb 11, 15:00, Gloucester Rugby v London Irish, Kingsholm
Sat 19th Feb 11, 15:00, Harlequins v Sale Sharks, Twickenham Stoop
Sat 19th Feb 11, 15:00, Leicester Tigers v London Wasps, Welford Road
Sun 20th Feb 11, 15:00, Saracens v Leeds Carnegie, Vicarage Road

Round 16
Fri 25th Feb 11, 19:45, Sale Sharks v Leicester Tigers, Edgeley Park
Sat 26th Feb 11, 15:00, Exeter Chiefs v Bath Rugby, Sandy Park
Sat 26th Feb 11, 15:00, London Irish v Harlequins, Madejski Stadium
Sat 26th Feb 11, 15:00, Northampton Saints v Gloucester Rugby, Franklin’s Gardens
Sun 27th Feb 11, 15:00, Leeds Carnegie v Newcastle Falcons, Headingley Carnegie
Sun 27th Feb 11, 15:00, London Wasps v Saracens, Adams Park

Round 17
Fri 4th Mar 11, 20:00, Newcastle Falcons v Harlequins Kingston Park
Sat 5th Mar 11, 15:00, Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints, Sandy Park
Sat 5th Mar 11, 15:00, Gloucester Rugby v Bath Rugby, Kingsholm
Sat 5th Mar 11, 15:00, Leicester Tigers v Saracens, Welford Road
Sun 6th Mar 11, 15:00, Leeds Carnegie v London Irish, Headingley Carnegie
Sun 6th Mar 11 , 15:00, London Wasps v Sale Sharks, Adams Park

Round 18
Fri 25th Mar 11 , 19:45, Sale Sharks v Leeds Carnegie Edgeley Park,
Sat 26th Mar 11, 14:15, Bath Rugby v Leicester Tigers, Recreation Ground
Sat 26th Mar 11, 15:00, Harlequins v Gloucester Rugby, Twickenham Stoop
Sat 26th Mar 11, 15:00, London Irish v Exeter Chiefs, Madejski Stadium
Sat 26th Mar 11, 15:00, Northampton Saints v London Wasps, Franklin’s Gardens
Sun 27th Mar 11, 15:00, Saracens v Newcastle Falcons, Vicarage Road

Round 19
Sat 2nd Apr 11, 15:00, Gloucester Rugby v Newcastle Falcons Kingsholm
Sat 2nd Apr 11, 15:00, Harlequins v Leicester Tigers, Twickenham Stoop
Sat 2nd Apr 11, 15:00, Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks, Franklin’s Gardens
Sun 3rd Apr 11, 15:00, Leeds Carnegie v Exeter Chiefs, Headingley Carnegie
Sun 3rd Apr 11, 15:00, London Irish v London Wasps, Madejski Stadium
Sun 3rd Apr 11, 15:00, Saracens v Bath Rugby, Vicarage Road

Round 20
Fri 15th Apr 11, 19:45, Sale Sharks v London Irish, Edgeley Park
Fri 15th Apr 11, 20:00, Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints, Kingston Park
Sat 16th Apr 11, 14:15, Bath Rugby v Harlequins, Recreation Ground
Sat 16th Apr 11, 15:00, Exeter Chiefs v Saracens, Sandy Park
Sat 16th Apr 11, 15:00, Leicester Tigers v Gloucester Rugby, Welford Road
Sun 17th Apr 11, 15:00, London Wasps v Leeds Carnegie, Adams Park

Round 21
Fri 22nd Apr 11, 19:45, Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs, Edgeley Park
Fri 22nd Apr 11, 20:00, Newcastle Falcons v Leicester Tigers, Kingston Park
Sat 23rd Apr 11, 15:00, London Irish v Northampton Saints, Madejski Stadium
Sat 23rd Apr 11, 15:00, Saracens v Gloucester Rugby, Vicarage Road
Sat 23rd Apr 11, 17:30, London Wasps v Bath Rugby, Twickenham
Sun 24th Apr 11, 15:00, Leeds Carnegie v Harlequins, Headingley Carnegie

Round 22
Sat 7th May 11, 15:00, Bath Rugby v Newcastle Falcons, Recreation Ground
Sat 7th May 11, 15:00, Exeter Chiefs v London Wasps, Sandy Park
Sat 7th May 11, 15:00, Gloucester Rugby v Sale Sharks, Kingsholm
Sat 7th May 11, 15:00, Harlequins v Saracens, Twickenham Stoop
Sat 7th May 11, 15:00, Leicester Tigers v London Irish, Welford Road
Sat 7th May 11, 15:00, Northampton Saints v Leeds Carnegie, Franklin’s Gardens

In the first instance, we’ll be starting the build-up to the new Aviva Premiership and Magners League seasons.

Both of these competitions should hold their own degree of intrigue. The new Premiership sponsor might want to do things differently, Exeter Chiefs will grace the fields of top flight clubs, and there will be three live games on every weekend. The Italians are joining the Magners League, and all eyes will be focused on their opening battles, and every club in the UK will have players with one eye on the Rugby World Cup – now is the time to break into the international setup if they want to be in contention for selection this time next year.

Then it won’t be long before we’re watching Heineken Cup rugby again and looking ahead to the Autumn Internationals which take on additional importance with the World Cup looming.

We’re expanding our coverage here on The Rugby Blog, with more articles about Ireland, Wales and Scotland, more player interviews, more podcasts, more polls, more opinion and more discussion. We’ve had some great feedback on the new site design, and we’ll continue to make enhancements.

As we mentioned before, we are always on the lookout for new additions to the team. There are lots of passionate rugby fans out there, so please feel free to contribute – if you’re a budding journalist or just fancy a rant, you’ll probably be welcomed, or if you are a photographer and would like to show off some of your shots, please get in touch.

Also, we need you to help spread the word. The easiest way to do that is to click the ‘Like’ button after every article, and post links on forums, Twitter and Facebook and help us to encourage some debate. The site is always better when there are lots of comments to read, so leave your own thoughts and get your mates to do the same.

Finally, feedback is always welcome. Drop us a line with any thoughts on the site, features you’d like to see, or whatever you’d like to get off your chest. We look forward to hearing from you!

ROUND 1

FRIDAY 8 OCTOBER, 2010
Pool 1, Northampton Saints v Castres Olympique, 20.00, Sky Sports
Pool 4, Ulster Rugby v Aironi Rugby, 19.30
Pool 6, Glasgow Warriors v Newport Gwent Dragons, 19.30

SATURDAY 9 OCTOBER, 2010
Pool 1, Cardiff Blues v Edinburgh, 17.45, S4C*
Pool 2, Leinster v Racing-Metro 92, 13.30, Sky Sports
Pool 2, ASM Clermont Auvergne v Saracens, 16.30, FR2
Pool 3, Toulon v Ospreys, 14.30, Canal+
Pool 3, London Irish v Munster, 17.45, Sky Sports
Pool 5, Benetton Treviso v Leicester Tigers, 14.30, Sky Italia
Pool 5, Scarlets v Perpignan, 15.30, Sky Sports

SUNDAY 10 OCTOBER, 2010
Pool 4, Bath Rugby v Biarritz Olympique, 13.00, Sky Sports
Pool 6, Toulouse v London Wasps, 16.00, FR2
* Highlights

ROUND 2

FRIDAY 15 OCTOBER, 2010
Pool 1, Castres Olympique v Cardiff Blues , 21.00, Canal+
Pool 3, Ospreys v London Irish, 20.00, Sky Sports

SATURDAY 16 OCTOBER, 2010
Pool 1, Edinburgh v Northampton Saints, 13.30, Sky Sports
Pool 2, Racing-Metro 92 v ASM Clermont Auvergne, 14.30, Canal+
Pool 2, Saracens v Leinster, 17.45, Sky Sports
Pool 3, Munster v Toulon, 15.30, Sky Sports
Pool 4, Aironi Rugby v Bath Rugby, 14.30, Sky Italia
Pool 6, Newport Gwent Dragons v Toulouse, 17.45, S4C*

SUNDAY 17 OCTOBER, 2010
Pool 4, Biarritz Olympique v Ulster Rugby, 16.00, FR2
Pool 5, Leicester Tigers v Scarlets, 15.00 Sky Sports
Pool 5, Perpignan v Benetton Treviso, 14.00, Canal+
Pool 6, London Wasps v Glasgow Warriors, 13.00, Sky Sports
* Highlights

ROUND 3

FRIDAY 10 DECEMBER, 2010
Pool 6, Glasgow Warriors v Toulouse , 20.00, Sky Sports

SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER, 2010
Pool 1, Northampton Saints v Cardiff Blues, 17.45, Sky Sports
Pool 1, Castres Olympique v Edinburgh, 18.45, Canal+
Pool 2, Saracens v Racing-Metro 92, 15.30, Sky Sports
Pool 4, Ulster Rugby v Bath Rugby, 13.30, Sky Sports
Pool 4, Aironi Rugby v Biarritz Olympique, 14.30, Sky Italia
Pool 5, Perpignan v Leicester Tigers, 14.30, Canal+
Pool 5, Scarlets v Benetton Treviso, 15.00

SUNDAY 12 DECEMBER, 2010
Pool 2, ASM Clermont Auvergne v Leinster, 16.00, FR2
Pool 3, London Irish v Toulon, 15.00 , Sky Sports
Pool 3, Munster v Ospreys , 13.00, Sky Sports
Pool 6, Newport Gwent Dragons v London Wasps, 13.00, S4C*
* Highlights

ROUND 4

FRIDAY 17 DECEMBER, 2010
Pool 2, Racing-Metro 92 v Saracens, 21.00, Canal+
Pool 4, Biarritz Olympique v Aironi Rugby, 19.00

SATURDAY 18 DECEMBER, 2010
Pool 2, Leinster v ASM Clermont Auvergne, 17.45, Sky Sports
Pool 3, Toulon v London Irish, 16.30, FR2
Pool 3, Ospreys v Munster, 15.30, Sky Sports
Pool 4, Bath Rugby v Ulster Rugby, 13.30, Sky Sports
Pool 5, Benetton Treviso v Scarlets, 14.30 , Sky Italia
Pool 6, Toulouse v Glasgow Warriors , 14.30, Canal+

SUNDAY 19 DECEMBER, 2010
Pool 1, Cardiff Blues v Northampton Saints, 15.00, S4C*
Pool 1, Edinburgh v Castres Olympique, 14.00
Pool 5, Leicester Tigers v Perpignan, 15.00, Sky Sports
Pool 6, London Wasps v Newport Gwent Dragons, 13.00, Sky Sports
* Highlights

ROUND 5

14 / 15 / 16 JANUARY, 2011
Pool 1, Cardiff Blues v Castres Olympique
Pool 1, Northampton Saints v Edinburgh
Pool 2, Leinster v Saracens
Pool 2, ASM Clermont Auvergne v Racing-Metro 92
Pool 3, Toulon v Munster
Pool 3, London Irish v Ospreys
Pool 4, Bath Rugby v Aironi Rugby
Pool 4, Ulster Rugby v Biarritz Olympique
Pool 5, Benetton Treviso v Perpignan
Pool 5, Scarlets v Leicester Tigers
Pool 6, Toulouse v Newport Gwent Dragons
Pool 6, Glasgow Warriors v London Wasps

ROUND 6

21 / 22 / 23 JANUARY, 2011
Pool 1, Castres Olympique v Northampton Saints
Pool 1, Edinburgh v Cardiff Blues
Pool 2, Saracens v ASM Clermont Auvergne
Pool 2, Racing-Metro 92 v Leinster
Pool 3, Munster v London Irish
Pool 3, Ospreys v Toulon
Pool 4, Aironi Rugby v Ulster Rugby
Pool 4, Biarritz Olympique v Bath Rugby
Pool 5, Perpignan v Scarlets
Pool 5, Leicester Tigers v Benetton Treviso
Pool 6, Newport Gwent Dragons v Glasgow Warriors
Pool 6, London Wasps v Toulouse

QUARTER-FINALS
8 / 9 / 10 APRIL, 2011

SEMI-FINALS
30 APRIL / 1 MAY, 2011

16th HEINEKEN CUP FINAL
21 / 22 MAY, 2011 – MILLENNIUM STADIUM, CARDIFF

New Features

The new design is generally a lot tidier, so it should be easier to navigate. It’s also more image-dependent which makes it look a little better, so we’ll have a picture with every article – there are still a few to add retrospectively, so bear with us whilst we sort it out. We are on the hunt for any amateur photographers who don’t mind sharing their images with us – drop us a line if you can help.

It’s a bit of a ‘magazine’ layout, which should make it easier to find what you are interested in, each tournament has it’s own section, and we’ll be adding sections for each country that we cover as well.

The tabbed section on the right of the homepage will let you keep an eye on the latest comments and most recent articles. You’ll notice Avatars beside each comment, and you are welcome to add a picture if you like – just register at www.gravatar.com with the same email address that you enter when you comment, and it will come through here by some technological magic.

Coming up on The Rugby Blog

The site will be a little quieter for a few weeks whilst Hutch is in Uganda with the Tag Rugby Trust, but there will be a few articles as we keep things ticking over.

Then we’ll be starting the build up to the new season in earnest – it’s a long year ahead culminating in the Rugby World Cup, so stay with us for the duration as we cover the Guinness Premiership, Magners League, Heineken Cup, all the internationals, going off on the odd rant, sharing our opinions and keeping an eye on those players that could feature for the home countries in New Zealand.

I’m pleased to say that the Podcast will return for the new season – it was something of an experiment last year, but all the feedback we’ve had has been very positive and so Nick Heath will be back with your usual weekly helping of rugby interviews and insight. There’s a new iTunes icon on the right, so click on that and you’ll find every episode in iTunes where you can subscribe.

We are also looking to expand our coverage. We realise that we are fairly England-centric, but we’d like to have more articles about the other home nations to start with, and then take on the rest of the world when we have more capacity. Contributions are always welcomed, and we are looking to expand our writing team, so send us an email if you’d like to be involved.

We really value the comments and discussion by our readers – without it, the site wouldn’t be any good, frankly. I think you’ll agree that it’s better when there are more comments and there’s more discussion, so perhaps you could help spread the word – tell your friends about it, post links to your favourite articles on Twitter and Facebook, forward on our monthly newsletter and generally help us out. At the very least, click the new ‘Like’ button on each article if you have a Facebook account.

Feedback

We’d really like to know your thoughts on the site, the new design, the ramblings we write or anything else you’d like to get off your chest. Suggestions for new features are always welcome, so again, please get in touch.

Pools 2, 3 and 6 look particularly interesting!

POOL 1: Cardiff Blues, Northampton Saints, Edinburgh, Castres Olympique

POOL 2: Leinster, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Saracens, Racing Metro 92

POOL 3: Munster, Ospreys, London Irish, RC Toulon

POOL 4: Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque, Bath Rugby, Ulster, Aironi Rugby

POOL 5: Leicester Tigers, Scarlets, Perpignan, Benetton Treviso

POOL 6: Toulouse, London Wasps, Glasgow Warriors, Newport Gwent Dragons

The Heineken Cup fixtures are now available.

This is the general consensus apparently, but that doesn’t necessary mean you’ll agree!

1. Soane Tonga’uhia
2. Schalk Brits
3. Carl Hayman
4. Juande Kruger
5. Marco Wentzel
6. Phil Dowson
7. Lewis Moody
8. Luke Watson

9. Ben Youngs
10. Toby Flood
11. Chris Ashton
12. Olly Barkley
13. Dom Waldouck
14. Joe Maddock
15 Ben Foden