The London Double Header ran between 2004 and 2017 and typically opened the season of Premiership Rugby (currently known as the Gallagher Premiership due to sponsorship), the top rugby union league in England.
Two games were played consecutively at Twickenham Stadium, originally involving the 'big four' London origin teams of the Premiership, Harlequins, London Irish, Saracens and Wasps (London Wasps until the 2014–15 season). Harlequins were relegated from the premiership at the end of the 2004–05 season and thus for the 2005–06 season Leeds Tykes were included instead. The same applied to London Irish in 2016 who were replaced. The matches form part of the regular season fixtures, with one team nominated as the home side for each match. Since 2008 (2016 being an exception) and the inception of The Big Game, Harlequins only compete in the double-header as an away side in order to reduce the number of home games they play away from Twickenham Stoop.
From 2015 and following Wasps' relocation to Coventry, the direction of the series changed. Two London teams (normally London Irish and Saracens) acted as the hosts, with the away teams being any of the other 10 Premiership Rugby teams. In 2016, Harlequins hosted due to London Irish's relegation from the premiership. In 2015, 2016 and 2017 the series featured a newly promoted team. The Double Header did not take place in 2018 due to redevelopment works at Twickenham Stadium and has not returned.
At other times of year Twickenham is also used for regular season Premiership fixtures, such as The Big Game hosted by Harlequins at Christmas time, The Clash hosted by Bath and the Premiership Final in June, as well as international fixtures including those by the Barbarians, plus inter-armed forces and varsity matches.
4 September 2004 14:00 |
London Irish | 18–12 | Harlequins |
Report |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 51,000 Referee: Wayne Barnes |
3 September 2005 16:20 |
Leeds Tykes | 11–27 | London Irish |
Report |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 35,000 Referee: Sean Davey |
2 September 2006 14:00 |
London Irish | 20–19 | NEC Harlequins |
Report |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 51,960 |
2 September 2006 16:20 |
Saracens | 19–21 | London Wasps |
Report |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 51,960 Referee: Roy Maybank |
15 September 2007 15:30 |
Harlequins | 35–27 | London Irish |
Report |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 39,400 Referee: Ashley Rowden |
15 September 2007 18:00 |
London Wasps | 19–29 | Saracens |
Report |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 39,400 Referee: Sean Davey |
6 September 2008 14:30 |
London Irish | 26–14 | London Wasps |
Report |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 52,087 Referee: Andrew Small |
6 September 2008 17:00 |
Saracens | 21–24 | Harlequins |
Report |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 52,087 Referee: Wayne Barnes |
5 September 2009 14:30 |
Saracens | 18–14 | London Irish |
Try: Jackson Saull Con: Jackson Pen: Jackson (2) | Report | Try: Stowers Pen: Lamb (2) D. Armitage |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 67,684 Referee: Dave Pearson |
5 September 2009 17:15 |
London Wasps | 26–15 | Harlequins |
Try: Varndell (2) Con: Van Gisbergen Pen: Van Gisbergen 3 | Report | Try: Monye Camacho Con: Evans Pen: Evans |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 67,684 Referee: Dean Richards |
4 September 2010 14:00 |
London Irish | 33–16 | Saracens |
Report |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 75,112 Referee: Andrew Small |
4 September 2010 16:30 |
London Wasps | 29–29 | Harlequins |
Report |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 75,112 Referee: Chris White |
3 September 2011 14:00 |
London Irish | 24–29 | Harlequins |
Report |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 55,437 Referee: Greg Garner |
3 September 2011 16:30 |
Saracens | 15–20 | London Wasps |
Report |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 55,437 Referee: JP Doyle |
1 September 2012 14:00 |
London Wasps | 40–42 | Harlequins |
Report |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 63,102 Referee: Greg Garner |
1 September 2012 16:30 |
Saracens | 40–3 | London Irish |
Report |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 63,102 Referee: Wayne Barnes |
7 September 2013 14:00 |
London Irish | 20–42 | (BP) Saracens |
Try: Low 37' c Yarde 69' c Con: Humphreys (2/2) Pen: Humphreys (2) 13', 62' | Report | Try: George (2) 9' c, 35' m Vunipola 63' c Ashton 81' m Con: Farrell (2/4) Pen: Farrell (6) 4', 27', 39', 41', 51', 72' |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 62,637 Referee: Greg Garner |
7 September 2013 16:30 |
London Wasps (BP) | 15–16 | Harlequins |
Try: Launchbury 0' c Palmer 80' m Con: Goode (1/2) Pen: Goode (1) 13' | Report | Try: Dickson 70' c Con: Evans (1/1) Pen: Evans (3) 12', 45', 49' |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 62,637 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth |
6 September 2014 14:00 |
Saracens (BP) | 34–28 | (BP) Wasps |
Try: Ashton 6' c Strettle (3) 20' c, 62' c, 78' c Con: Hodgson (2/2) Farrell (2/2) Pen: Hodgson (2/3) 13', 18' | Report | Try: Hughes 43' c Wade (2) 53' m, 59' c Con: Goode (2/3) Pen: Goode (3/3) 10', 16', 26' |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 66,164 Referee: Andrew Small |
6 September 2014 16:30 |
London Irish (BP) | 15–20 | Harlequins |
Pen: Geraghty (5/6) 24', 33', 42', 54', 66' | Report | Try: Monye 10' c Lindsay-Hague 34' c Con: Evans (2/2) Pen: Evans (2/6) 7', 27' |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 66,164 Referee: Greg Garner |
The 2015 London Double Header was moved from its traditional Round 1 position, to Round 5, in order to accommodate the 2015 Rugby World Cup knock-out stage matches being played at Twickenham Stadium. It was also the first time since 2005 that Saracens, Harlequins, London Irish and Wasps have not all taken part in the event. Harlequins chose not to take part due to the proximity of The Big Game 8 and were therefore replaced by Worcester Warriors. There had been suggestions that Wasps would not take part, following their move to the Ricoh Arena, however they were announced as one of the away teams for the event at the fixture launch on 3 July 2015.
28 November 2015 15:15 |
Saracens (BP) | 48–18 | Worcester Warriors |
Try: Ashton (2) 3' c, 51' c Spencer 21' c Wray 43' c Brits 55' c Ransom 62' c Con: Hodgson (6/6) Pen: Hodgson (2/3) 30', 39' | Report | Try: Rees 70' m Van Velze 79' c Con: Heathcote (1/2) Pen: Heathcote (2/3) 33', 37' |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 42,680 Referee: Ian Tempest |
28 November 2015 17:30 |
London Irish | 15–33 | (BP) Wasps |
Try: Williams (2) 40' m, 56' c Con: Noakes (1/2) Pen: Noakes (1/3) 7' | Report | Try: Halai (2) 37' m, 74' m Daly 49' c Young 70' c Con: Jackson (1/2) Gopperth (1/2) Pen: Jackson (2/4) 4', 18' Gopperth (1/1) 54' |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 42,680 Referee: Wayne Barnes |
The 2016 London Double Header returned to its traditional Round 1 position. London Irish had been relegated from the Premiership and therefore did not take part. Home teams were confirmed on 28 June, with away teams confirmed at fixture launch on 7 July.
The 2017 London Double Header took place in its traditional Round 1 position. London Irish return after being promoted back into the Premiership. Home teams were confirmed on 22 June, with the away teams confirmed at the Premiership fixture launch on 7 July. [1]
2 September 2017 14:00 |
(BP) Saracens | 55–24 | Northampton Saints |
Try: Barritt 8' m Wigglesworth 11' c Maitland (3) 20' m, 31' m, 34' m Lozowski 28' c Koch 37' c Brits 51' c Spencer 67' c Con: Lozowski (5/9) 12', 29', 38', 52', 68' | Report | Try: Ludlam 43' c Wood (2) 55' c, 64' c Con: Mallinder (3/3) 44', 56', 64' Pen: Mallinder (1/2) 24' |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 56,532 Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys |
2 September 2017 16:45 |
(BP) London Irish | 39–29 | Harlequins (BP) |
Try: Ojo 23' c Bell 30' m Treviranus 56' m McKibbin 78' c Con: Bell (2/4) 24', 79' Pen: Bell (5/6) 4', 7', 37', 52', 75' | Report | Try: Marchant 34' c Yarde 63' c Care 72' m Walker 77' c Con: M. Smith (1/1) 34' Catrakilis (2/3) 64', 77' Pen: M. Smith (1/1) 15' |
Twickenham Stadium Attendance: 56,532 Referee: Tom Foley |
Harlequins is a professional rugby union club that plays in Premiership Rugby, the top level of English rugby union. Their home ground is the Twickenham Stoop, located in Twickenham, south-west London.
The 2005–06 Guinness Premiership was the 19th season of the top flight of the English domestic rugby union competitions, played between September 2005 and May 2006. The final was contested by the Sale Sharks and the Leicester Tigers at Twickenham. Sale Sharks won 45–20 to win the Premiership. Leeds Tykes were relegated, whilst Harlequins were promoted for the 2006-07 Guinness Premiership.
The 2006–07 Guinness Premiership was the 20th season of the top flight of the English domestic rugby union competitions, played between September 2006 and May 2007. It was announced during the 2005-06 season that the 2006-07 competition would end two weeks early due to the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, as England would be defending their title. At the end of the previous season, Harlequins gained promotion to this season, while the Leeds Tykes were relegated. The Champions of this season were Leicester Tigers, beating Gloucester RFC 44-16 on 12 May in the Final at Twickenham, while the Northampton Saints were relegated. Leeds returned in 2007–08, under their new name of Leeds Carnegie, after being promoted.
The 2007–08 Guinness Premiership was the 21st season of the top flight of the English domestic rugby union competitions, played between September 2007 and May 2008. Round 1 included the London Double Header at Twickenham, between the four London teams.
The 2008–09 Guinness Premiership was the 22nd season of the top flight of the English domestic rugby union competitions, played between September 2008 and May 2009. Round 1 included the London Double Header at Twickenham, between the four London teams.
The 2009–10 Guinness Premiership was the 23rd season of the top flight English domestic rugby union competition and the fifth and final one to be sponsored by Guinness. The reigning champions entering the season were Leicester Tigers, who had claimed their eighth title after defeating London Irish in the 2009 final. Leeds Carnege had been promoted as champions from the 2008–09 National Division One at the first attempt.
The 2010–11 Aviva Premiership was the 24th season of the top flight English domestic rugby union competition and the first one to be sponsored by Aviva. The reigning champions entering the season were Leicester Tigers, who had claimed their ninth title after defeating Saracens in the 2010 final. Exeter Chiefs had been promoted as champions from the 2009–10 RFU Championship, their first promotion to the top flight.
The 2004–05 Zurich Premiership was the 18th season of the top flight of the English domestic rugby union competitions.
The Big Game is an annual rugby union match hosted by Harlequins since 2008 and Harlequins Women since 2021. It is held during the Christmas holiday season each year. It is one of the regular home matches in Premiership Rugby for the men's team and in Premiership Women's Rugby for the women's team. The fixture is moved from their usual home ground at the Twickenham Stoop to the much larger Twickenham Stadium.
The 2011–12 Aviva Premiership was the 25th season of the top flight English domestic rugby union competition and the second one to be sponsored by Aviva. The reigning champions entering the season were Saracens, who had claimed their first title after defeating Leicester Tigers in the 2011 final. Worcester Warriors had been promoted as champions from the 2010–11 RFU Championship at the first attempt.
The 2012–13 Aviva Premiership was the 26th season of the top-flight English domestic rugby union competition and the third one to be sponsored by Aviva. The reigning champions entering the season were Harlequins, who had claimed their first title after defeating Leicester Tigers in the 2012 final. London Welsh had been promoted as champions from the 2011–12 RFU Championship, their first promotion to the top flight.
The 2014–15 Aviva Premiership was the 28th season of the top flight English domestic rugby union competition and the fifth one to be sponsored by Aviva. The reigning champions entering the season were Northampton Saints, who had claimed their first title after defeating Saracens in the 2014 final. London Welsh had been promoted as champions from the 2013–14 RFU Championship at the first attempt.
The 2015–16 Aviva Premiership was the 29th season of the top flight English domestic rugby union competition and the sixth one to be sponsored by Aviva. The reigning champions entering the season were Saracens, who had claimed their second title after defeating Bath in the 2015 final. Worcester Warriors had been promoted as champions from the 2014–15 RFU Championship at the first attempt.
The 2016–17 Aviva Premiership was the 30th season of the top flight English domestic rugby union competition and the seventh one to be sponsored by Aviva. The reigning champions entering the season were Saracens, who had claimed their third title after defeating Exeter Chiefs in the 2016 final. Bristol Bears had been promoted as champions from the 2015–16 RFU Championship after a seven year absence.
The 2017–18 Aviva Premiership was the 31st season of the top flight English domestic rugby union competition and the eighth and final one to be sponsored by Aviva. The reigning champions entering the season were Exeter Chiefs, who had claimed their first title after defeating Wasps in the 2017 final. London Irish had been promoted as champions from the 2016–17 RFU Championship at the first attempt.
The 2018–19 Gallagher Premiership was the 32nd season of the top flight English domestic rugby union competition and the first one to be sponsored by Gallagher. The reigning champions entering the season were Saracens, who had claimed their fourth title after defeating Exeter Chiefs in the 2018 final. Bristol Bears had been promoted as champions from the 2017–18 RFU Championship at the first attempt.
The 2019–20 Gallagher Premiership was the 33rd season of the top flight English domestic rugby union competition and the second one to be sponsored by Gallagher. The reigning champions entering the season were Saracens, who had claimed their fifth title after defeating Exeter Chiefs in the 2019 final. London Irish had been promoted as champions from the 2018–19 RFU Championship at the first attempt.
The 2021–22 Premiership Rugby was the 35th season of the top flight of English domestic rugby union competition and the fourth to be sponsored by Gallagher. It is also the first since 1992–93 to feature thirteen teams. The competition was broadcast by BT Sport for the ninth successive season with four league season games and the final also simulcast free-to-air on ITV. Highlights of each weekend's games were shown on ITV with extended highlights on BT Sport.
The 2022–23 Premiership Rugby was the 36th season of the top flight of English domestic rugby union competition and the fifth to be sponsored by Gallagher. The competition was broadcast by BT Sport for the tenth successive season, with six league season games and the final also simulcast free-to-air by ITV. Highlights of each weekend's games were shown on ITV with extended highlights on BT Sport.
The 2023–24 Premiership Rugby is the 37th season of the top flight of English domestic rugby union competition and the sixth to be sponsored by Gallagher. The competition is being broadcast by TNT Sports for the eleventh and final year of their current broadcast deal, with six league season games and the final also simulcast free-to-air by ITV. Highlights of each weekend's games are to be shown on ITV, with extended highlights on TNT Sports.