Leicester Tigers will begin the defence of the Prem Rugby Cup with a trip to Harlequins on 5 September.

The first two rounds of games will be played before the Prem season starts as teams prepare for the new campaign.

Teams will be split into two pools of five, playing each side in their group home and away.

The semi-finals are scheduled for weekend of Saturday, 6 March with the final the following weekend.

In Pool A, Bristol will face Gloucester in the opening round of games while Sale host Bath on Sunday, 6 September.

Last season’s beaten finalists Exeter begin their campaign on 12 September at home to Bristol.

Alongside Leicester and Harlequins in Pool B, Saracens will start with a home game against Northampton, while Newcastle Red Bulls’ first game of the season is a week later at Leicester.