Leicester Tigers kick off a new Gallagher Premiership season with a trip to Exeter Chiefs on Saturday afternoon.
Twelve weeks on from the 2021/22 Final at Twickenham, the Tigers match action resumes with Exeter providing the opposition in the opening game for a second successive season.
Last season kicked off with a 34-19 win over the Chiefs at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, and now Tigers travel to the South-West for the reverse fixture at Sandy Park.
In team news announced on Friday following confirmation that Premiership fixtures would go ahead on Saturday and Sunday, Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick includes five summer signings in his squad which will be led by Hanro Liebenberg for the first time since his confirmation as club captain.
Ben Youngs, starting his 17th season as a Premiership player, says he is “excited” to get the ball rolling on another campaign.
Asked about the campaign ahead, the scrum-half said: “The biggest challenge right now is going to Sandy Park and Exeter on Saturday. Going there is one of the toughest places in the league and it will tell us a lot about ourselves.
“The guys who have come in are adding to the squad, they know what we are about and they want to contribute and move the club forward.”
Exeter include England international Jack Nowell alongside four new signings in Jack Dunne, Solomone Kata, Rory O'Loughlin and Ruben van Heerden.
Their head coach Ali Hepher said this week: "When the fixtures come out, you're always excited for that first game. It's a great start, especially coming up against the champions.
“Steve Borthwick has done a great job over the last couple of years, turning Leicester round and into a quality side. We know they'll be a top-quality side who are hard-working, physical and who will be good around the set-piece.
"They are all areas you associate with Leicester, so we know we will have to be top drawer at the weekend. Equally, it's an opportunity for us to show what we are about.
"We've worked the guys hard. Equally, they have worked hard and responded with a real level of effort.”
Premiership Rugby have confirmed that there will be a one-minute silent tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ahead of kick-off in each of the fixtures this weekend. Players and coaches will be invited to wear black armbands.
Leicester’s victory at Sandy Park last March was a first at the venue since 2014 and also Exeter’s only home defeat in Premiership Rugby in the last seven months.
Tigers have won three of their last seven away games in Premiership action and have won on the opening weekend for the past two seasons.
The visitors will wear the club’s new change kit of red shirt and white shorts at Sandy Park this weekend.
Referee is Christophe Ridley, in charge of a top-flight fixture for a 58th time.
There is live coverage with BT Sport, or follow the updates on Matchday Live on the Tigers website and app, with full report and reaction afterwards.
Round 1 in full:
Friday – Bristol Rugby v Bath Rugby (now Saturday 5.30pm), Sale Sharks v Northampton Saints (postponed)
Saturday – Exeter Chiefs v Leicester Tigers (3.00pm), Newcastle Falcons v Harlequins (3.00pm), London Irish v Worcester Warriors (3.00pm), Bristol Bears v Bath Rugby (5.30pm)
Sunday – Gloucester Rugby v Wasps (3.00pm)
