Fall of fixtures will have an impact in truncated season, says Harlequins boss

Harlequins head coach Tabai Matson believes the fixture list for the forthcoming Gallagher Premiership season has taken on greater significance due to the truncated nature of the campaign.

Leicester will begin the defence of their title against Exeter at Sandy Park as the domestic season begins on September 9 with a Friday night West Country derby between Bristol and Bath at Ashton Gate, while Sale host Northampton.

The Premiership final takes place on May 27 – three weeks earlier than this year – in order to assist England boss Eddie Jones with 2023 World Cup preparations.

Tigers were crowned champions for the first time since 2013 when Freddie Burns’ late drop goal gave them victory over Saracens at Twickenham two months ago.

Saracens have a bye in the opening round on September 9-11 but then kick off their domestic campaign by travelling to Harlequins, with Matson insisting the way the fixtures have fallen will have a greater baring than usual on how the season pans out.

“Looking at your fixtures, it becomes a bit of a luck of the draw – more so than any other recent years due to the shorter season and when we lose our players to internationals,” he told the PA news agency.

“If you’re playing a team that’s not impacted at all and because the competition is so tight, that definitely has an importance and there will some of those unexpected results through those periods for sure.”

Looking at your fixtures, it becomes a bit of a luck of the draw – more so than any other recent years- Tabai Matson

League games are scheduled on two of the three World Rugby-sanctioned autumn Test weekends in November, while Premiership action also clashes with all but one of five Guinness Six Nations weekends between early February and