Early Fixture List Shock!
By Ian C
April 3 2003
The domestic season structure for the 2003/04 season has been confirmed. The Zurich Premiership will kick off on the weekend of 13th September and culminate with the Zurich Premiership Final on Saturday 29th May 2004. The 12 Premier Rugby clubs will continue to play during the Rugby World Cup.
The England Rugby Board voted not to change the points scoring system during the Rugby World Cup so the scoring will remain the same as this season - four points for a win, two points for a draw and bonus points for scoring four tries or more and losing by seven points or less. Clubs will play each other once during the first 11 rounds of the Zurich Premiership (which are played during the Rugby World Cup) and once during the 11 rounds played after the Rugby World Cup.
Howard Thomas, Chief Executive of Premier Rugby, said: "The Zurich Premiership remains unchanged from this season - a 22 round league system with a top three play off finale to determine the champions. The structure offers the Directors of Rugby an exciting challenge - the first half of the season will offer the younger, future generation of players a chance to shine whilst the second half, when the Internationals return to action, will provide a gripping climax as all 12 clubs strive for a place in the Zurich Premiership Final."
This of course will pose more of a challenge for some than others, with the Tigers losing heavily to England ssquad participation, and Geordan Murphy to Ireland. This will be even more difficult given the decision to apply the salary cap without allowance for International players absence.
The fixture list is subject to change upon publication of the Football League fixture list and all games are subject to change upon publication of television coverage.
It is claimed that the club who wins National Division One and meets the entry criteria, whatever they may be, will be promoted to the Zurich Premiership at the end of the current season will replace the relegated premiership club in all fixtures.
Fixture List - Season 2003/4
23 Aug Wales England
30 Aug France England
6 Sep England France
13 Sep Leicester Tigers London Irish
21 Sep Saracens Leicester Tigers
27 Sep Leicester Tigers Newcastle Falcons
4 Oct Leicester Tigers Sale Sharks
11 Oct Gloucester Leicester Tigers
14 Oct Leicester Tigers NEC Harlequins
19 Oct Leeds Tykes Leicester Tigers
25 Oct Leicester Tigers Northampton Saints
1 Nov Bath Leicester Tigers
8 Nov Leicester Tigers London Wasps
15 Nov Powergen Cup Round 6
23 Nov Bristol Shoguns Leicester Tigers
29 Nov Leicester Tigers Bath
6 Dec European Cup Round 1
13 Dec European Cup Round 2
20 Dec Northampton Saints Leicester Tigers
27 Dec Leicester Tigers Leeds Tykes
31 Dec NEC Harlequins Leicester Tigers
3 Jan Leicester Tigers Gloucester
10 Jan European Cup Round 3
17 Jan European Cup Round 4
24 Jan European Cup Round 5
31 Jan European Cup Round 6
6 Feb Sale Sharks Leicester Tigers
14 Feb 6 Nations
21 Feb 6 Nations
28 Feb Powergen Cup Quarter-finals
6 Mar 6 Nations
13 Mar Powergen Cup Semi-finals
20 Mar 6 Nations
27 Mar 6 Nations
4 Apr Newcastle Falcons Leicester Tigers
10 Apr European Cup Quarter-finals
17 Apr Powergen Cup Final
Leicester Tigers Saracens
24 Apr European Cup Semi-finals
London Irish Leicester Tigers
1 May Leicester Tigers Bristol Shoguns
9 May London Wasps Leicester Tigers
15 May Zurich Premiership Semi Finals
Zurich Wildcard Semi Finals
22 May European Cup Final
29 May Zurich Premiership Final
Zurich Wildcard Final
30 May England Barbarians