Scotland stars set to face off on opening weekend of 2026/27 Gallagher Premiership season
Northampton Saints to begin title defence against Newcastle Red Bulls when English rugby’s top flight returns in September.
The fixtures of the 2026/27 Gallagher Premiership rugby season have been revealed - with a number of Scotland stars set for blockbuster clashes with their respective clubs.
Reigning champions Northampton Saints, who beat Exeter Chiefs in last season’s Grand Final at Twickenham, will begin their title defence at home as Newcastle Red Bulls visit Franklin’s Gardens on Friday, September 25. It will be an immediate return to his old stomping grounds for 15-cap prop Elliot Millar Mills who is leaving the East Midlands outfit for a move to the North East.
Centre Rory Hutchinson, who was one of the most impressive players for Gregor Townsend’s side in their Nations Championship Summer Test matches, will likely line-up for Saints who also have twice capped hooker Robbie Smith on their books along with former under 20s caps Josh Taylor and Amena Caqusau. Meanwhile, Newcastle have been busy recruiting a host of new players which not only includes Millar Mills but also international front-row teammate George Turner from Premiership rivals Harlequins.
Newcastle Red Bulls’ new Scottish spine to be tested against Rory Hutchinson’s title winning Northampton Saints
Chris Harris, the 2021 British & Irish Lions centre who won the last of his 46 Scotland caps in 2023, is returning to his first club along with former Scotland youth and Melrose back rower Allan Ferrie. They join the other Scottish players already at Kingston Park in prop Murray McCallum, back rower Ollie Leatherbarrow and centre Cammy Hutchinson.
Finn Russell and Bath will also be in action on the Friday night as they travel to Twickenham Stoop to face Harlequins. He will be joined by centre Cam Redpath, back rower Josh Bayliss and prop Jamie Bhatti with the latter returning to his old club this summer after a spell at Glasgow Warriors.
Former Scotland under 20s full-back Cameron Anderson is the only Scottish senior player currently on the books for Quins. Another club with a similar lack of Scottish representation is Gloucester who have ex Glasgow Warriors number 8 Jack Mann as their sole Scot.
They travel to Exeter Chiefs on Saturday, September 26, who are the only club in the division without a single Scottish senior player in their senior ranks after scrum-half Charlie Chapman left to join Worchester Warriors. However, the other Saturday contest of the opening weekend should not be short of Scottish representation.
Scotland backs to face off in opening weekend clash as Bristol Bears host Sale Sharks
Tom Jordan’s Bristol Bears are heading to Sale Sharks where he will come up against international teammates Gus Warr and Arron Reed. The scrum-half and winger were both left out of the international squad this summer with competition fierce in those positions so will be hoping to start the season strong in order to return in time for the Autumn Test matches.
The opening round concludes on Sunday, September 27 as Leicester Tigers host Saracens. The hosts have prop Will Hurd and lock Cameron Henderson amongst their ranks while the visitors can call on fly-half Fergus Burke and back rower Andy Onyeama-Christie.
Nick Harris, CEO of Gallagher's insurance broking business which supports companies across the UK and Ireland, said: “The 2026/27 campaign marks Gallagher’s ninth season as title sponsor and we’re incredibly proud to be at the heart of a fantastic sport and community. It is great to see some games being played at some of the most iconic sporting venues in the country, including Villa Park and the Principality Stadium.”
All of the matches are set to be broadcast live on TNT Sports and HBO Max. A full list of fixtures can be found on the official Gallagher Prem website.
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