Scotland stars set for TV showdown as Prem opener picked for free-to-air slot

Six time champions Saracens will travel to Mattioli Woods Welford Road to take on 11 time winners Leicester Tigers on Sunday, September 27 and that match will be shown live on TV and online by ITV. Although TNT Sports own the rights to show the majority of the competition in the UK, there is an agreement in place for the public service broadcaster to cover seven selected matches across the campaign including the Grand Final.

They have also chosen Sale Sharks vs Exeter Chiefs on December 6 and Harlequins match at home to reigning champions Northampton Saints on December 28 for broadcast. In terms of the opening weekend though, the live free-to-air match is one that Scotland fans may want to keep a close eye on.

Scotland internationals to face off in free-to-air TV slot in Gallagher PREM Round One

Fly-half Fergus Burke will enter his third season as a Saracens player when the 2026/27 campaign kicks off. The former New Zealand under 20 stand-off will be hoping that he can impress national team boss Gregor Townsend enough to retain his place in the squad ahead of the Autumn leg of the Nations Championship and the 2027 Six Nations Championship.

The 27-year-old is not expected to displace a fully fit Finn Russell, who travels to Harlequins with Bath that weekend, but has been vying with former Glasgow Warriors man Tom Jordan to be second choice in his position. Jordan’s Bristol Bear’s travel to Sale Sharks in the opening round.

Andy Onyeama-Christie is the other Scotland international on the books with Sarries. The back rower has been with the club since 2018 and has been in and around national team squads in recent years but has been limited in terms of caps, only receiving 11 in total since making his debut back in 2022.

Burke and Christie will come up against some familiar faces at Leicester Tigers including international teammate Will Hurd. The tight-head prop is a player who will need to show some good form this season with competition in the front-row becoming fiercer for Scotland.

Also in the Tigers team is lock Cameron Henderson, the former Stirling County player who won two caps in 2023. He was called up to the national team squad as recently as the 2025 Six Nations but did not play any games.

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