Saints to discover next season’s league schedule in July

The campaign will begin on the weekend of October 16, which is far later than the traditional early September start date.

That is because the Rugby World Cup will be heading to these shores, running from September 18 to October 31.

The Premiership begins at the quarter-final stage of the eagerly-anticipated international competition.

Saints are the current Aviva Premiership champions, having beaten Saracens in the grand final last May.

They are in a good position to repeat that fine achievement this year, with Jim Mallinder’s men knowing a win against London Welsh on Saturday will book a home play-off semi-final.

That would take place at Franklin’s Gardens on May 23, with the league showpiece at Twickenham seven days later.