Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints meet behind closed doors in the 245th East Midlands derby on Sunday.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 restrictions mean this derby date will look very different to its predecessors, with no supporters admitted.
As part of the new matchday routine, the teams enter the field from two separate gates, with social distancing measures in place in each dressing room, while on-site staffing is restricted.
The match referee conducts the coin toss with team captains outside rather than in the tunnel area and matches include a brief drinks break in each half when players are required to use their own individual bottles.
Matchballs are cleaned regularly, with post protectors and flags also cleaned at half-time.
The stadium site is divided is into Red, Amber and Green Zones, with access to the Red Zone in the Breedon Stand restricted to players, coaches and match officials only.
Media seats have been moved to the Holland & Barrett Stand, and broadcast interviews adhere to social distancing guidelines while the post-match press conference for the written media is conducted via Zoom call.
As the stadium remains closed to other visitors, and the ticket office and club shop are also closed, all supporters are urged to stay away as Tigers manage risk of infection while also performing the work behind the scenes in readiness for an eventual return of crowds. Online services for shop and ticketing remain available all day everyday.
Match kick-off at Welford Road is at 2.00pm and there is live coverage on BT Sport 1. Tigers season ticket holders who do not have a subscription can obtain a free BT Sport Match Pass to follow all the action from home games. Please note you will have to register ahead of the game and will then receive your match code before kick-off. For details, contact the ticket office by emailing [email protected] or phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2).
You can also follow minute-by-minute reports with the Matchday Live service on the Tigers app, plus updates on the club’s social media pages, with full review after the final whistle.
Voting for the LeoVegas Fans’ Favourite opens at half-time using the Tigers App. Simply click on the tab in the Tigers App during the second half and the winner will be announced at full-time.
The Tigers match programme is available in digital format as part of matchday. The link is delivered in advance to season ticket holders by email and then added to the club website. This week’s edition includes a spotlight on the players enjoying a second spell at Tigers, a special feature on the academy’s graduates in the senior squad and everything you need to know about derby day.
If you are wearing your club colours, you can share your photos of #TigersAtHome with other supporters on the club’s social media pages until we can all be together again at Welford Road.
