The second round of the newly branded Prem Rugby Next Gen league provided several unexpected twists and turns – is this a sign of the season to come? Or are the nation’s biggest academies simply still waking up after a summer of slumber?
Prem Rugby Next Gen Round 1 Fixtures:
Thursday 21th August
After over 110 points were scored in Northampton’s first game of the year, fireworks were expected against a Gloucester side that also scored 40 past Yorkshire in round one. This is not how the first half unravelled. Despite having plenty of ball to play with, Saints could not get off the ground at Hartpury, while the home side were far more clinical. A strong first half saw Gloucester lead by 14-0 at halftime. After the break, Captain Tomos Williams left it to his forwards to seal the game, as the Cherries and Whites stretched further out in front, through three short-range efforts. Saints had a lovely break-away try to take home with them, finished off by U18 England international Sonny Goode, but Gloucester have made a big statement ahead of the third round in October.
Friday 22nd August
Exeter Chiefs 62 – 7 Sale Sharks
Ouch. Exter scored over 50 points against Northampton, but their defence let them down away from home. Back at the Flowerpot, they seemed to have Sale figured out. A fast start for the Chiefs saw them 3 tries up within 15 minutes, Hooker Theo McKay on the double. Sale rallied right before the break, racked up their first score, and returned to the sheds 26-7 behind. The second half was one-way traffic in favour of the hosts. 4 unanswered scores left Sale disappointed with their second-40 showing, as, just like against Northampton, Exeter continued to improve throughout the game. Final score 62-7. Sale still have a number of internationals yet to return to the squad, and will thankfully not need to travel quite so far for their first game back, in round 3.
Newcastle Red Bull 29 – 22 Leicester Tigers
What a start to the Red Bull Era! While countless signings come rolling into town for Newcastle ahead of the new season, they would do well to keep one eye on Gosforth Academy – I mean, their U18 team, which is full of bright prospects. I kid, of course, although the Newcastle starting XV did include 11 of their Ace academy contingent – an exciting prospect ahead of the new college season. Leixster actually led at the break 17-10, helped in part by two scores by returning England U18 hooker Marcus Southwell. However, the Red Bull hooker scored one of his own after half-time, before winger Jonny Dougless sealed the game. A late score, unconverted, could not close the gap for the Tigers, and Newcastle win their first academy outing of the season.
Yorkshire 12 – 52 Saracens
It is unfortunately a second home defeat of the season for Yorkshire, as Saracens get off the mark following an opening round draw. It was a strong performance with tries coming from every area of the field. Second row JP Ludlow grabbed a brace, as did winger Freddie Stewart (not that one). The main story of the day was fly-half Henry Hodgson, son of Saracens legend Charlie, made his first start of the season in his dad’s old position. Hodgson, whose father hails from West Yorkshire of course, ran the show as an improved defensive performance got the away side over the line. A rare away victory in a round of local landslides.
Saturday 23rd August
Bath 38-19 Harlequins
2024 champions Bath denied the Halequins a second victory in the west country in consecutive wins with a dominant display. And I do mean dominant. Bath led 24-0 at halftime, with the back row in black and blue having a real stranglehold over the game. Henry Sui scored after the break to extend the lead to 31-0. England captain Declan Treacy, on his return for his club, was at his very best. Harelquins responded with 3 tries before he final whistle, but it wasn’t enough. Bath Scored once more before the finish to claim a huge victory in the Next Gen Prem’s early stages.
Round 3
Saturday 25th October
Bath v Bristol Bears – 12pm, Allington Fields
Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester – 1pm, Flowerpot Playing Fields
Leicester Tigers v Yorkshire Academy – 3pm, TBC
Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks – 3pm, TBC
Sunday 26th October
Newcastle Falcons v Harlequins – 1pm, Kingston Park
Round 4
Saturday 3rd January
Bath v Gloucester – 12pm, Allington Fields
Bristol Bears v Exeter Chiefs – 2pm, Shaftesbury Park
Harlequins v Saracens – 3pm, Gordon’s School
Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints – 3pm, TBC
Sale Sharks v Newcastle Falcons – 3pm, Manchester Met Uni
Round 5
Saturday 10th January
Exeter Chiefs v Bath – 2pm, Flowerpot Playing Fields
Gloucester v Bristol Bears – 1pm, 4Ed Hartpury Stadium with Vodafone
Harlequins v Yorkshire Academy – 3pm, Gordon’s School
Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints – 3pm, Kingston Park
Sale Sharks v Saracens – 3pm, TBC
Round 6
Saturday 17th January
Gloucester v Sale Sharks – 1pm, 4Ed Hartpury Stadium with Vodafone
Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs – 3pm, Gordon’s School
Newcastle Falcons v Bath – 3pm, TBC
Saracens v Leicester Tigers – 1pm, StoneX
Yorkshire Academy v Bristol Bears – 2pm, TBC
Round 7
Saturday 31st January
Bath v Leicester Tigers – 2pm, Allington Fields
Bristol Beas v Newcastle Falcons – 3pm, Bristol Uni (Coombe Dingle)
Exeter Chiefs v Yorkshire Academy – 12.30pm, Flowerpot Playing Fields
Harlequins v Northampton Saints – 3pm, Gordon’s School
Saracens v Gloucester – 1pm, StoneX
Round 8
Saturday 7th February
Bristol Bears v Saracens – 3pm, Shaftesbury Park
Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs – 2pm, TBC
Northampton Saints v Bath – 3pm, TBC
Sale Sharks v Harlequins – 3pm, TBC
Yorkshire Academy v Newcastle Falcons – 1pm, Keighley RUFC
Round 9
Saturday 14th February
Gloucester v Leicester Tigers – 11am, 4Ed Hartpury Stadium with Vodafone
Northampton Saints v Bristol Bears – 3pm, TBC
Sale Sharks v Yorkshire Academy – 3pm, TBC
Saracens v Newcastle Falcons – 11am, StoneX
Round 10
Saturday 21st February – Finals Day
Past Champions:
2025 Northampton Saints
2024 Bath Rugby
2023 London Irish
2022 Bristol Bears
2021 N/A
2020 Leicester Tigers/London Irish
2019 Leicester Tigers
2018 Leicester Tigers
2017 Harlequins
2016 London Irish
2015 Saracens
2014 Northampton Saints
2013 Northampton Saints
