The new Gallagher Premiership season will pause for two months in February and March so it does not clash with the 2024 Six Nations.
The new campaign, which starts on Friday October 13 — the same weekend as the World Cup quarter-finals in France — will also feature a “derby weekend” of fixtures between local rivals.
The English league now comprises only ten teams, after the demise of Worcester Warriors, Wasps and London Irish last season, so there will be far fewer overlaps with Test rugby. That means that international players will be available for more domestic games, which has been a key priority for Premiership executives.
Bye-weeks, where one side did not play in each round, are no longer needed. They had been required
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