After a fortnight of European action a full programme of matches are staged this weekend, with Leicester Tigers travelling to Kingsholm to take on Gloucester Rugby on Saturday (kick-off 4.45pm).
And Premiership Rugby has confirmed there has been a 14.2% rise in attendances year-or-year to an average of 11,950 across Aviva Premiership Rugby. And if Saracens v Tigers in Round 3 at Wembley Stadium is excluded, which drew a crowd of 41,063, attendances are still up 6.4% year-on-year with an average crowd of 11,040.
“These are impressive figures and show that the 12 Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs are producing a diet of rugby that supporters are enjoying in big numbers,” said Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty,
“We expected a rise over the first six rounds because we were comparing matches that took place while the Rugby World Cup was on in 2011, but the steep rise across Aviva Premiership Rugby shows its strength.
“This weekend we have another six mouth-watering ties in prospect, which include – for armchair fans – a Sky Sports double-header from The Recreation Ground and Kingsholm.”
Those armchair fans have also ensured a rise in the television audience for ‘Rugby Match of the Day’, the Aviva Premiership Rugby highlights show, which airs on ITV4 at 8pm on Sunday evenings, repeated on ITV1.
The full list of fixtures for this weekend are:
Friday 26 October
Worcester Warriors v Sale Sharks – 8pm
Saturday 27 October
Bath Rugby v Exeter Chiefs – 2.30pm – Sky Sports
Gloucester Rugby v Leicester Tigers – 4.45pm – Sky Sports
Northampton Saints v Saracens – 3pm
Sunday 28 October
London Wasps v London Welsh – 3pm
London Irish v Harlequins – 2.15pm – ESPN