Rugby Union Today: Saturday and Sunday’s previews
Another busy day in the rugby union game as we bring you match previews from the opening weekend’s Premiership and PRO14 action and more.
What’s on the site
Premiership champions Saracens kick off their 2018/19 campaign against Newcastle Falcons and we preview that match along with the weekend’s other games in that competition plus Saturday’s’s four fixtures in the PRO14 as well as a full round of Top 14 matches.
We also have a 10 question quiz on greats of the Premiership.
Meanwhile, Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has added Toulouse flyer Cheslin Kolbe to his squad for the forthcoming Australasian leg of the Rugby Championship as the only uncapped player.
What’s in the news
Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi has revealed that his recovery from a bicep injury is taking longer than expected.
Meanwhile, England head coach Eddie Jones has met the RFU’s referees’ chief, Tony Spreadbury, to discuss officiating.
What’s on social media
The USA’s national women’s team announced that they will take on England in London in November.
BIG NEWS | Our Women's National Team will face @EnglandRugby for the first road match of their 2018 November Tour. 🦅🌹
MORE » https://t.co/wqBVmmx7x6 pic.twitter.com/2I9xADl9Xv
— USA Rugby (@USARugby) August 31, 2018
What’s on TV
With the Rugby Championship taking a break this weekend, all focus shifts to the northern hemisphere and the start of the Premiership and PRO14 seasons.
BT Sport will broadcast four matches from England’s top-tier with Bristol v Bath, Gloucester v Northampton, Exeter v Leicester and Newcastle v Saracens being shown.
Meanwhile, the PRO14 will make its debut on Premier Sports and they will televise all seven encounters from the opening round.
On Sky Sports, they have plenty of Top 14, Mitre 10 and Currie Cup action, with Sunday’s encounter between Racing 92 and Clermont Auvergne the highlight.