WORCESTER Warriors will play Premiership champions Bath Rugby in their first game at Sixways Stadium since confirming the club’s return to professional rugby.
Warriors will host Bath at Sixways on the weekend of September 19/20. A date and kick-off time for the fixture is yet to be confirmed.
The club will confirm a day and kick-off time for the high-profile friendly once the Premiership fixtures have been released.
Worcester will then begin the Champ Rugby season with a mouth-watering Midlands derby against Coventry Rugby at Sixways.
Warriors CEO, Stephen Vaughan said: “This is more than just a return, it’s a revival.
“The pre-season match against Bath gives us a huge opportunity to test ourselves against the very best, while the Coventry fixture will be a true measure of our readiness to compete at Championship level.
“With an entirely new group of players and coaches, these games will challenge us, but it’s a challenge we embrace.
“Our thanks go to Johann [van Graan] and everyone at Bath Rugby for helping to make our first game back a truly special occasion.”
The Somerset club beat Leicester Tigers 23-21 at Twickenham in last season’s Premiership final to win the trophy for the first time in 29 years.
Bath have won the Premiership seven times and also won the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup last season.
The club previously lifted the European Champions Cup in 1997/98.
And Bath players Finn Russell and Will Stuart are currently on tour with the British and Irish Lions in Australia.
Bath’s squad also features former Worcester and England centre Ollie Lawrence.
Former Worcester and England flanker Ted Hill also plays for Johann van Graan’s side.
