Gallagher Premiership Rugby Round 9 and Premiership Rugby Cup semi-finals confirmed

London Irish's clash with Northampton Saints has been chosen to kick-off Round 9 of Gallagher Premiership Rugby in front of the live BT Sport cameras.

The match at Franklin’s Gardens is being staged on Friday 24 January, the first of three matches live on BT Sport in the last weekend of the month.

On Saturday 25 January BT Sport will cover the west country derby against Gloucester Rugby, finishing off the weekend with a Sunday London derby, Saracens making the short trip across the capital to take on Harlequins.

Following Round 9 of Gallagher Premiership Rugby all players will receive a minimum two-week break from matches as the Premiership Rugby semi-finals swing into action, one on each weekend.

Exeter Chiefs host the first semi-final against Harlequins on Sunday 2 February (1pm), and on the following Friday top seeds Sale Sharks entertain Saracens at the AJ Bell Stadium.

The Premiership Rugby Cup Final will be held at the home ground of the highest-seeded side left in the competition, on Sunday 15 March.