BRISTOL will face a trip to London on the opening day of the Aviva Premiership in September after the fixtures for their return to the top flight of English rugby were announced on Thursday.

Director of rugby Andy Robinson will take the side to Twickenham on Saturday September 3 where they will take on Harlequins in front of a massive crowd.

And they face further tests of their credentials in the opening month when they will play last season’s Premiership finalists back-to-back at Ashton Gate.

Their first game at home is a massive one against Northampton Saints on Sunday September 11, and, after playing Wasps in Coventry, they tackle South West of England rivals Exeter Chiefs, who were runners-up in the final last May, on Friday September 23 before taking on the reigning champions, Saracens, on Friday September 30.

Bristol’s first date with arch rivals Bath is on Friday November 18 at The Rec, with the return at Ashton Gate on Friday February 24.

They play Gloucester at Kingsholm on Saturday December 3 and host the Cherry and Whites at Ashton Gate on Sunday March 26.

Bristol fixtures

September

Sat, Sep 3rd, 2016            16:30     Harlequins (A)   Aviva Premiership                                          

Sun, Sep 11th, 2016         15:00     Northampton Saints (H) Aviva Premiership                                         

Sun, Sep 18th, 2016         14:30     Wasps (A) Aviva Premiership                                     

Fri, Sep 23rd, 2016           19:45     Exeter Chiefs (H) Aviva Premiership                                       

Fri, Sep 30th, 2016           19:45     Saracens (H) Aviva Premiership                                                

October

Sat, Oct 8th, 2016             15:00     Newcastle Falcons (A) Aviva Premiership                                             

Sun, Oct 30th, 2016         15:00     Sale Sharks (H) Aviva Premiership                                          

November

Fri, Nov 18th, 2016           19:45     Bath Rugby (A) Aviva Premiership                                          

Fri, Nov 25th, 2016           19:45     Leicester Tigers (H) Aviva Premiership                                   

December

Sat, Dec 3rd, 2016            15:00     Gloucester (A) Aviva Premiership                                          

Mon, Dec 26th, 2016       15:00     Worcester Warriors (H)                 Aviva Premiership                                          

Sat, Dec 31st, 2016           15:00     Sale Sharks (A) Aviva Premiership                                          

January

Sat, Jan 7th, 2017             15:00     Northampton Saints (A) Aviva Premiership                                         

February

Fri, Feb 10th, 2017           19:45     Harlequins (H)   Aviva Premiership                                          

Sat, Feb 18th, 2017          15:00     Leicester Tigers (A) Aviva Premiership                                   

Fri, Feb 24th, 2017           19:45     Bath Rugby (H) Aviva Premiership                                          

March

Sat, Mar 4th, 2017            15:00     Worcester Warriors (A)                 Aviva Premiership                                          

Sun, Mar 26th, 2017        15:00     Gloucester Rugby (H) Aviva Premiership                                              

April

Sat, Apr 8th, 2017             15:00     Exeter Chiefs (A) Aviva Premiership                                       

Sun, Apr 16th, 2017         15:00     Wasps (H) Aviva Premiership                                     

Sat, Apr 29th, 2017          15:00     Saracens (A) Aviva Premiership                                                

May

Sat, May 6th, 2017           15:00     Newcastle Falcons (H) Aviva Premiership