PREM Rugby have confirmed the fixture schedule for the 2026/27 Defender Prem Next Gen League, with Northampton Saints kicking off their campaign against Gloucester.
The young men in Black, Green and Gold commence their league campaign on Friday 14 August, against Gloucester in Round 2 of the league. They then have one more fixture in August, away at Bath.
Saints then return for action before the festive break against Sale at home on the weekend of 24 October in Round 4. The New Year brings back-to-back fixtures throughout January, starting with East Midlands rivals Leicester Tigers and Harlequins at home, Exeter Chiefs away, Newcastle Red Bulls at home and finally Bristol Bears away.
The competition will once again feature the Academy programmes of Gallagher PREM clubs, alongside invited teams, as the country's brightest Under-18 players continue their development in one of the world's leading player pathways.
The Defender PREM Next Gen League forms part of PREM Rugby's long-term commitment to developing elite talent and strengthening the pathway from Academy rugby to the professional game.
The season will then be rounded off on Academy Finals Day on Sunday, 28 February 2027.
“The academy league provides a great opportunity for players to perform and show the things that they’ve been working on in training on the pitch, which has a positive impact on their development,” said Saints U18s Head Coach Charlie Reed.
“The school and academy season provides plenty of opportunity for lads to get plenty of minutes under their belts so they can perform at a good standard of rugby, which is getting better year after year.
“Last season, a lot of our EAP boys were injured during the academy season, so it created a lot of fantastic opportunities for our younger players to come through. It was also fantastic to see lads go on and represent England at the World Cup, both Jack Lewis and High Shields at the age of 17.
“The slightly different league format doesn’t change much for us; it allows us to rotate more potentially and give more player opportunities.”
Northampton Saints U18s 2026/27 Fixtures
- Round 2: Northampton Saints vs Gloucester Rugby- Friday 14 August (kick-off: 12pm) – venue Moulton College
- Round 3: Bath Rugby vs Northampton Saints- Saturday 22 August (kick-off: 1pm) – venue Chippenham RFC
- Round 4: Sale Sharks vs Northampton Saints- Sunday 25 October (kick-off: 1pm) – venue Heywood Road
- Round 5: Northampton Saints vs Leicester Tigers- WE/O 2 Jan (kick-off: TBC) – venue TBC
- Round 6: Northampton Saints vs Harlequins- WE/O 9 Jan (kick-off: TBC) – venue TBC
- Round 7: Exeter Chiefs vs Northampton Saints, Saturday 16 Jan (kick-off: 1.30pm)- venue Exeter College Centre for Rugby
- Round 8: Northampton Saints vs Newcastle Red Bulls - WE/O 23 Jan (kick-off: TBC) – venue TBC
- Round 9: Bristol Bears vs Northampton Saints- WE/O 30 Jan (kick-off: TBC) – venue TBC