While the speculation to date about London Irish's prospects for the new season has been optimistic and exciting, the reality of the challenge that lies ahead took shape with the publication of the Guinness Premiership fixture list (yesterday). And what an exciting challenge it is.
The honour of being the first match of the new season falls to London Irish and newly promoted NEC Harlequins when they kick-off at 2.00pm in the London Double Header at Twickenham on Saturday 2nd September. The following Friday evening the Exiles have another London 'derby' when they travel to High Wycombe to play London Wasps at Adams Park, kick-off 7.45pm. The first home game at Madejski Stadium takes place against Bristol Rugby on Saturday 16th September.
London Irish will host its first ever home game on a Friday night when Gloucester are the visitors on 10th November. Kick-off time at Madejski Stadium will be 8.00pm.
Once again the fixtures computer has given London Irish a tough Christmas and New Year schedule with a home match with Leicester Tigers on Boxing Day and an away trip to Gloucester on New Year's Day.
Records could be broken when London Wasps visit Madejski Stadium for the popular Saint Patrick's Party on 18th March - just one day after the big day!
'We have tried once again to accommodate the interests of as many supporters as possible by working with Reading FC to balance the number of Saturday and Sunday fixtures we play,' said Hannah Wright, London Irish's Sales and Promotions Manager. 'We are also playing one game on a Friday evening ' against Gloucester on 10th November, and will be working hard to test the market for Friday night rugby in the Thames Valley. There will be more news about this shortly.
'We have already sold more season tickets than last year and are encouraging supporters that may still be thinking about signing up to do so before the end of August,' added Ms Wright. 'The season ticket package offers the best value when it comes to watching London Irish's home matches in the Premiership and our Heineken Cup pool games.'
Full details of fixtures, match day and season ticket prices are available at www.london-irish.com
There will be another full programme of Guinness A League fixtures this season. Details will be announced shortly. As in recent seasons London Irish will play its home fixtures at Sunbury on Monday evenings.