Following a turbulent season last term, London Irish start afresh on Saturday afternoon with a clash against Saracens in the first of a 'London Double Header' at Twickenham.
Slow starters
Gloucester will be looking to shake off their reputation as the Premiership 'slow starters' on Saturday when they take on
Sale Sharks at Kingsholm.
Nigel Davies' men have lost their opening fixtures for the last three seasons but will expect the summer recruitment of England international Matt Kvesic to produce different fortunes this weekend.
The 21-year-old flanker makes his Gloucester debut alongside England team-mate Ben Morgan who retains the No. 8 jersey. Rising stars Billy Twelvetrees and Freddie Burns both make starts in the backs as Gloucester look to launch their season in style.
Sharks coach Steve Diamond awards debuts to five summer signings as full-back Tom Arscott, winger Phil McKenzie, centre Andy Forsyth and second rowers Jonathan Mills and Michael Paterson all make their bows.
Despite losing their first round match to Northampton Saints last time around, Kingsholm became a fortress for Gloucester, who won all but one of their remaining home fixtures throughout the previous campaign; while the Sharks have not won away from home since February.
Last season's runners-up
Northampton Saints open their new campaign with a home clash against
Exeter Chiefs, who finished just two places below them in 2012/13, on Saturday.
Defending Champions
The Saints are chasing a seventh successive opening day victory and have triumphed in their last four outings against the Chiefs in all competitions.
Jim Mallinder benefits from a fully fit squad with star signings George North and Alex Corbisiero set to don the green, black and gold jersey for the first time. No. 8 Sam Dickinson will also make his Saints debut after his first season was scarred by injury.
Exeter however are unable to boast a fresh-faced look with summer arrivals Romana Graham, Don Armand and Greg Bateman all ruled out through injury, as are Luke Arscott, Jack Nowell, James Hanks and Luke Cowan-Dickie.
The injuries mean Welsh winger Tom James is the only debutant in Rob Baxter's starting XV as his side look to maintain their unbeaten record on the opening day of the season.
Defending champions
Leicester Tigers will take centre stage in Sunday's showcase clash as they welcome
Worcester Warriors to Welford Road.
Richard Cockerill's men lost just one of eight matches in last season's run-in as they sealed a third Aviva Premiership title in five years. The Tigers are seeking a ninth successive victory over the Warriors but do so without new club captain Toby Flood, who is sidelined by injury.
In the absence of the fly-half, Louis Deacon will lead Leicester in his 250th appearance for the club, while half-backs David Mele and Ryan Lamb debut. British and Irish Lions stars Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling and Tom Croft all feature on their return to club rugby while Ben Youngs and Manu Tuilagi are named amongst the replacements.
The Warriors have lost all 11 of their trips to Leicester since 1895 and Dean Ryan will hope the addition of five new faces can help them earn a maiden victory.
Flanker Jonathan Thomas assumes the Worcester captaincy as fly-half Ignacio Mieres, scrum-half Jeremy Su'a, second row Mike Williams and prop Jeremy Becasseau all make their club debuts against the reigning champions.
