BATH Rugby will kick-off their 150th anniversary season with a West Country derby at home to Exeter Chiefs at The Rec on Saturday, October 17, following the announcement of the Aviva Premiership 2015/16 fixtures today.

However, the club’s planned Big Match at Twickenham as part of the anniversary celebrations will not be held in the coming campaign.

Bath’s clash against Saracens in Round 19 on Saturday, April 2 had been pencilled in for the proposed HQ date but with the London side hosting their own Big Match a fortnight later at Wembley, the club have taken the decision to postpone the fixture until a future season. That match will now be held at The Rec.

Mike Ford’s side will also be at home on the final day of the campaign, as they play host to fierce rivals Leicester Tigers on Saturday, May 7.

And Bath will also enjoy home advantage on Boxing Day as they entertain newly-promoted Worcester Warriors, who return to The Rec for the first time since April 2014.

The first round of the European Rugby Champions Cup will begin in mid-November. Bath have been drawn in Pool 5 alongside Leinster, Toulon and Wasps.

Bath boss Ford said: “We thought last season was eventful for us, but the bar has been raised for 2015/16.

“I'm especially pleased that, in our 150th year, we'll be welcoming the best teams in Europe to The Rec. It's going to be a special year for the supporters and, as a team, we have high hopes for the season ahead.”

Bath Rugby's 2015/16 Aviva Premiership fixtures:

Saturday, October 17, 2015 - Bath Rugby v Exeter Chiefs, The Rec (2pm)

Saturday, October 24, 2015 - Wasps v Bath Rugby, Ricoh Arena (2pm)

Saturday, October 31, 2015 - Bath Rugby v Harlequins, The Rec (2pm)

Saturday, November 7, 2015 - London Irish v Bath Rugby, Madejski Stadium (3pm)

Saturday, November 28, 2015 - Leicester Tigers v Bath Rugby, Welford Road (3pm)

Saturday, December 5, 2015 - Bath Rugby v Northampton Saints, The Rec (3.15pm)

Saturday, December 26, 2015 - Bath Rugby v Worcester Warriors, The Rec (3.15pm)

Saturday, January 2, 2016 - Newcastle Falcons v Bath Rugby, Kingston Park (3pm)

Saturday, January 9, 2016 - Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks, The Rec (3.15pm)

Saturday, January 30, 2016 - Saracens v Bath Rugby, Allianz Park (3pm)

Saturday, February 6, 2016 - Bath Rugby v Gloucester Rugby, The Rec (3.15pm)

Saturday, February 13, 2016 - Worcester Warriors v Bath Rugby, Sixways (3pm)

Saturday, February 20, 2016 - Bath Rugby v Wasps, The Rec (3.15pm)

Saturday, February 27, 2016 - Exeter Chiefs v Bath Rugby, Sandy Park (3pm)

Saturday, March 5, 2016 - Bath Rugby v London Irish, The Rec (3.15pm)

Saturday, March 12, 2016 - Harlequins v Bath Rugby, Twickenham Stoop (3pm)

Saturday, March 19, 2016 - Bath Rugby v Newcastle Falcons, The Rec (3.15pm)

Saturday, March 26, 2016 - Gloucester Rugby v Bath Rugby, Kingsholm (3pm)

Saturday, April 2, 2016 - Bath Rugby v Saracens, The Rec (3.15pm)

Saturday, April 16, 2016 - Sale Sharks v Bath Rugby, AJ Bell Stadium (2.30pm)

Saturday, April 30, 2016 - Northampton Saints v Bath Rugby, Franklin's Gardens (3pm)

Saturday, May 7, 2016 - Bath Rugby v Leicester Tigers, The Rec (TBC)