RUGBY is returning to Worcester with Warriors' first home game pencilled in for August.

Warriors will resume the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season with a local derby against Gloucester Rugby at Sixways on Saturday August 15.

The league will return to action after a gap of more than five months, a break caused by the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

There are nine rounds of matches still to be played in the 2019/20 season and fixtures for the first four of those rounds – which will be played in the scheduled sequence before the lockdown – have been confirmed by Premiership Rugby.

After the Gloucester match in Round 14, Warriors will make the short trip to the Ricoh Arena to face Wasps on Friday August 21 before Harlequins visit Sixways in Round 16 on Wednesday August 26.

Warriors will then travel to Sandy Park to play Exeter Chiefs on Sunday August 30, the last of the confirmed fixtures.

Kick-off times and details of televised matches have yet to be confirmed by Premiership Rugby.

“It’s fantastic to be able to talk about rugby again but our first thoughts are with all those who have lost family members or friends to the Coronavirus since our last match against Northampton Saints in early March. We also thank all the key workers who have been busy on the frontline during the lockdown keeping the country running,” said Warriors’ Managing Director Peter Kelly.

“We are excited to be able to resume the season and having the next four rounds of Gallagher Premiership matches confirmed is an important step towards a return to normality in these difficult times.

“A home derby against Gloucester on the first weekend back gives everyone associated with the club something to look forward to after such a long period without rugby.

“At this stage we do not know whether spectators will be permitted to attend matches. We will continue to work closely with Premiership Rugby, the RFU and the UK Government and follow the latest social distancing guidelines. Once we have approval to welcome spectators back to Sixways we will be fully prepared to do so.

“Getting to this stage has required a lot of patience and hard work. I’d like to thank Gené Willis, our Head of Stadium Operations who has taken on additional responsibilities as the club’s COVID-19 Manager, and our Club Doctor, Nick Tait. Their hard work behind the scenes has enabled the players to progress from Stage One to Stage Two of the Return to Play Protocols.”

*Warriors’ Ticket Reimbursement Contingency Plan can be found at: https://warriors.co.uk/2020/05/21/warriors-announce-ticket-reimbursement-contingency-plan/