Bath Rugby will launch their 2026/27 PREM Rugby Cup campaign on September 6, starting with an away match against Sale Sharks. The team has been drawn into a highly competitive Group A, which features familiar South West rivals Bristol Bears, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester, and Sale Sharks.
This season’s PREM Rugby Cup format remains unchanged, with the 10 Gallagher Premiership clubs divided into two pools of five. Each team will play eight games during the group stages, spread across two bye weekends. The first two rounds take place in September before the Premiership season begins, while the remaining rounds and knockout stages are scheduled during the Autumn international windows and the Six Nations Championship.
At the end of Round 10, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, followed by the final to determine the champion.
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Group A boasts a strong South West presence, featuring Bath, Bristol Bears, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester, and Sale Sharks. Group B includes Harlequins, Saracens, reigning PREM Cup champions Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints, and Newcastle Red Bulls.
In addition to the PREM Rugby Cup fixtures, Bath Rugby have announced three friendly matches to keep the squad sharp during their Round 2 bye. Bath will face Perpignan in France on Thursday, August 27, host Bedford Blues at Goldington Road on Friday, September 11, and travel to Scotland to play Glasgow Warriors on Friday, September 18.
The Gallagher Premiership season will kick off on September 25, with Bath looking to build momentum from their PREM Rugby Cup performance.