BATH will start their 2017-18 Aviva Premiership campaign with a trip to face Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.

Todd Blackadder's side will travel to face their old rivals on the opening weekend of the season on Sunday, September 3 before welcoming European champions Saracens to the Recreation Ground for their first home match on Saturday, September 9.

Both games, along with the following Friday’s visit to face Northampton Saints Franklin’s Gardens, will be broadcast live on BT Sport.

Meanwhile the return fixture against Leicester, on April 7 next year, will against be staged at Twickenham, following the success of 'The Clash' between the two sides at the home of English rugby earlier this year.

Blackadder said: "We’re really excited by our opening fixtures.

“To play three of last year’s top four in the opening five weeks is a really good challenge for us – we know we are going to have to hit the ground running and start really well to get our season underway in the way we want.”

BATH'S 2017-18 AVIVA PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES

Home matches in CAPS

SEPTEMBER

Sun 3: Leicester Tigers (3pm, live on BT Sport)

Sat 9: SARACENS (2pm, live on BT Sport)

Fri 15: Northampton Saints (7.45, live on BT Sport)

Sat 23: NEWCASTLE FALCONS (3pm)

OCTOBER

Sun 1: Wasps (3pm, live on BT Sport)

Sat 7: WORCESTER WARRIORS (3pm)

Sun 29: GLOUCESTER (3pm, live on BT Sport)

NOVEMBER

Sun 19: London Irish (3pm)

Sat 25: HARLEQUINS (12.15pm)

DECEMBER

Sat 2: Exeter Chiefs (2pm, live on BT Sport)

Fri/Sat/Sun 22/23/24: Sale (TBC)

Fri/Sat/Sun 29/30/31: WASPS (TBC)

JANUARY

Fri/Sat/Sun 5/6/7: Worcester Warriors (TBC)

FEBRUARY

Fri/Sat/Sun 9/10/11: NORTHAMPTON SAINTS (TBC)

Fri/Sat/Sun 16/17/18: Newcastle Falcons (TBC)

Fri/Sat/Sun 23/24/25: SALE SHARKS (TBC)

MARCH

Fri/Sat/Sun 2/3/4: Harlequins (TBC)

Fri/Sat/Sun 23/24/25: EXETER (TBC)

APRIL

Fri/Sat/Sun 6/7/8: LEICESTER TIGERS (TBC)

Fri/Sat/Sun 13/14/15: Saracens (TBC)

Fri/Sat/Sun 27/28/29: Gloucester (TBC)

MAY

Sat 5: LONDON IRISH (TBC)