London Double Header
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
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.
2004
{{Main|2004–05 Premiership Rugby}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 4 September 2004
|time = 14:00
|home = London Irish
|score = 18–12
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/rugby/730.php Report]
|away = Harlequins
|homescore =
|awayscore =
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 51,000
|referee = Wayne Barnes
}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 4 September 2004
|time = 16:15
|home = Saracens
|score = 13–11
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/rugby/738.php Report]
|away = London Wasps
|homescore =
|awayscore =
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 51,000
|referee =
}}
2005
{{Main|2005–06 Premiership Rugby}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 3 September 2005
|time = 14:00
|home = London Wasps
|score = 23–11
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/rugby/813.php Report]
|away = Saracens
|homescore =
|awayscore =
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 35,000
|referee =
}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 3 September 2005
|time = 16:20
|home = Leeds Tykes
|score = 11–27
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/rugby/799.php Report]
|away = London Irish
|homescore =
|awayscore =
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 35,000
|referee = Sean Davey
}}
2006
{{Main|2006–07 Premiership Rugby}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 2 September 2006
|time = 14:00
|home = London Irish
|score = 20–19
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/rugby/1087.php Report]
|away = NEC Harlequins
|homescore =
|awayscore =
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 51,960
|referee =
}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 2 September 2006
|time = 16:20
|home = Saracens
|score = 19–21
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/rugby/1077.php Report]
|away = London Wasps
|homescore =
|awayscore =
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 51,960
|referee = Roy Maybank
}}
2007
{{Main|2007–08 Premiership Rugby}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 15 September 2007
|time = 15:30
|home = Harlequins
|score = 35–27
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/rugby/279.php Report]
|away = London Irish
|homescore =
|awayscore =
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 39,400
|referee = Ashley Rowden
}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 15 September 2007
|time = 18:00
|home = London Wasps
|score = 19–29
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/rugby/282.php Report]
|away = Saracens
|homescore =
|awayscore =
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 39,400
|referee = Sean Davey
}}
2008
{{Main|2008–09 Premiership Rugby}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 6 September 2008
|time = 14:30
|home = London Irish
|score = 26–14
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/rugby/839.php Report]
|away = London Wasps
|homescore =
|awayscore =
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 52,087
|referee = Andrew Small
}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 6 September 2008
|time = 17:00
|home = Saracens
|score = 21–24
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/rugby/838.php Report]
|away = Harlequins
|homescore =
|awayscore =
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 52,087
|referee = Wayne Barnes
}}
2009
{{Main|2009–10 Premiership Rugby}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 5 September 2009
|time = 14:30
|home = Saracens
|score = 18–14
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/rugby/11583.php Report]
|away = London Irish
|try1 = Jackson
Saull
|con1 = Jackson
|pen1 = Jackson (2)
|try2 = Stowers
|pen2 = Lamb (2)
D. Armitage
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 67,684
|referee = Dave Pearson
}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 5 September 2009
|time = 17:15
|home = London Wasps
|score = 26–15
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/rugby/11585.php Report]
|away = Harlequins
|try1 = Varndell (2)
|con1 = Van Gisbergen
|pen1 = Van Gisbergen 3
|try2 = Monye
Camacho
|con2 = Evans
|pen2 = Evans
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 67,684
|referee = Dean Richards
}}
2010
{{Main|2010–11 Premiership Rugby}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 4 September 2010
|time = 14:00
|home = London Irish
|score = 33–16
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/matchcentre/fixtures/945.php Report]
|away = Saracens
|homescore =
|awayscore =
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 75,112
|referee = Andrew Small
}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 4 September 2010
|time = 16:30
|home = London Wasps
|score = 29–29
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/matchcentre/fixtures/486.php Report]
|away = Harlequins
|homescore =
|awayscore =
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 75,112
|referee = Chris White
}}
2011
{{Main|2011–12 Premiership Rugby}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 3 September 2011
|time = 14:00
|home = London Irish
|score = 24–29
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/matchcentre/fixtures/778.php Report]
|away = Harlequins
|homescore =
|awayscore =
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 55,437
|referee = Greg Garner
}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 3 September 2011
|time = 16:30
|home = Saracens
|score = 15–20
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/matchcentre/fixtures/1251.php Report]
|away = London Wasps
|homescore =
|awayscore =
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 55,437
|referee = JP Doyle
}}
2012
{{main|2012–13 Premiership Rugby}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 1 September 2012
|time = 14:00
|home = London Wasps
|score = 40–42
|report = [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19424297 Report]
|away = Harlequins
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 63,102
|referee = Greg Garner
}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 1 September 2012
|time = 16:30
|home = Saracens
|score = 40–3
|report = [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19425215 Report]
|away = London Irish
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 63,102
|referee = Wayne Barnes
}}
2013
{{main|2013–14 Premiership Rugby}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 7 September 2013
|time = 14:00
|home = London Irish
|score = 20–42
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/matchcentre/fixtures/28748.php Report]
|away = (BP) Saracens
|con1 = Humphreys (2/2)
|pen1 = Humphreys (2) 13', 62'
|try2 = George (2) 9' c, 35' m
Vunipola 63' c
Ashton 81' m
|con2 = Farrell (2/4)
|pen2 = Farrell (6) 4', 27', 39', 41', 51', 72'
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 62,637
|referee = Greg Garner
}}
{{rugbybox
|date = 7 September 2013
|time = 16:30
|home =London Wasps (BP)
|score = 15–16
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/matchcentre/fixtures/28753.php Report]
|away = Harlequins
|try1 = Launchbury 0' c
Palmer 80' m
|con1 = Goode (1/2)
|pen1 = Goode (1) 13'
|try2 = Dickson 70' c
|con2 = Evans (1/1)
|pen2 = Evans (3) 12', 45', 49'
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 62,637
|referee = Tim Wigglesworth
}}
2014
{{Main|2014–15 Premiership Rugby}}
{{Rugbybox
|date = 6 September 2014
|time = 14:00
|home =Saracens (BP)
|score = 34–28
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/matchcentre/fixtures/32913.php Report]
|away = (BP) Wasps
|try1 = Ashton 6' c
Strettle (3) 20' c, 62' c, 78' c
|con1 = Hodgson (2/2)
Farrell (2/2)
|pen1 = Hodgson (2/3) 13', 18'
|try2 = Hughes 43' c
Wade (2) 53' m, 59' c
|con2 = Goode (2/3)
|pen2 = Goode (3/3) 10', 16', 26'
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 66,164
|referee = Andrew Small
}}
{{Rugbybox
|date = 6 September 2014
|time = 16:30
|home = London Irish (BP)
|score = 15–20
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/matchcentre/fixtures/32917.php Report]
|away = Harlequins
|pen1 = Geraghty (5/6) 24', 33', 42', 54', 66'
|try2 = Monye 10' c
Lindsay-Hague 34' c
|con2 = Evans (2/2)
|pen2 = Evans (2/6) 7', 27'
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 66,164
|referee = Greg Garner
}}
2015
{{Main|2015–16 Premiership Rugby}}
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.
{{Rugbybox
|date = 28 November 2015
|time = 15:15
|home = Saracens (BP)
|score = 48–18
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/matchcentre/fixtures/37352.php Report]
|away = Worcester Warriors
|try1 = Ashton (2) 3' c, 51' c
Spencer 21' c
Wray 43' c
Brits 55' c
Ransom 62' c
|con1 = Hodgson (6/6)
|pen1 = Hodgson (2/3) 30', 39'
|try2 = Rees 70' m
Van Velze 79' c
|con2 = Heathcote (1/2)
|pen2 = Heathcote (2/3) 33', 37'
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 42,680
|referee = Ian Tempest
}}
{{Rugbybox
|date = 28 November 2015
|time = 17:30
|home = London Irish
|score = 15–33
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/matchcentre/fixtures/37356.php Report]
|away = (BP) Wasps
|try1 = Williams (2) 40' m, 56' c
|con1 = Noakes (1/2)
|pen1 = Noakes (1/3) 7'
|try2 = Halai (2) 37' m, 74' m
Daly 49' c
Young 70' c
|con2 = Jackson (1/2)
Gopperth (1/2)
|pen2 = Jackson (2/4) 4', 18'
Gopperth (1/1) 54'
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 42,680
|referee = Wayne Barnes
}}
2016
{{Main|2016–17 Premiership Rugby}}
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.
{{Rugbybox
|date = 3 September 2016
|time = 14:00
|home = (1 BP) Saracens
|score = 35–3
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/live-match-centre/ Report]
|away = Worcester Warriors
|try1 = George 44' c
Lozowski 53' c
Burger 56' c
Spencer 78' m
|con1 = Lozowski (3/4) 44', 53' 56'
|pen1 = Lozowski (3/5) 15', 40', 42'
|try2 =
|con2 =
|pen2 = Lamb (1/1) 25'
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 47,029
|referee = Matthew Carley
}}
{{Rugbybox
|date = 3 September 2016
|time = 16:30
|home = Harlequins
|score = 21–19
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/live-match-centre/ Report]
|away = Bristol (1 BP)
|try1 = Yarde 39' m
Marchant 41' c
|con1 = N. Evans (1/2) 41'
|pen1 = N. Evans (3/3) 24', 58', 65'
|try2 = Varndell 21' c
T. Pisi 27' c
Edwards 42' m
|con2 = Henson (2/2) 21', 27'
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 47,029
|referee = Luke Pearce
}}
2017
{{Main|2017–18 Premiership Rugby}}
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.[http://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/new-premiership-rugby-season-takes-shape-as-fixtures-announced/] Premiership fixtures confirmed for 2017-18 season.
{{Rugbybox
|date = 2 September 2017
|time = 14:00
|home = (BP) Saracens
|score = 55–24
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/report/match-report-saracens-55-northampton-saints-24 Report]
|away = Northampton Saints
|try1 = 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
|con1 = Lozowski (5/9) 12', 29', 38', 52', 68'
|pen1 =
|try2 = Ludlam 43' c
Wood (2) 55' c, 64' c
|con2 = Mallinder (3/3) 44', 56', 64'
|pen2 = Mallinder (1/2) 24'
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 56,532
|referee = Craig Maxwell-Keys
}}
{{Rugbybox
|date = 2 September 2017
|time = 16:45
|home = (BP) London Irish
|score = 39–29
|report = [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/report/match-report-london-irish-39-harlequins-29 Report]
|away = Harlequins (BP)
|try1 = Ojo 23' c
Bell 30' m
Treviranus 56' m
McKibbin 78' c
|con1 = Bell (2/4) 24', 79'
|pen1 = Bell (5/6) 4', 7', 37', 52', 75'
|try2 = Marchant 34' c
Yarde 63' c
Care 72' m
Walker 77' c
|con2 = M. Smith (1/1) 34'
Catrakilis (2/3) 64', 77'
|pen2 = M. Smith (1/1) 15'
|stadium = Twickenham Stadium
|attendance = 56,532
|referee = Tom Foley
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.premiershiprugby.com/ Official site]
{{English Premiership (rugby union)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aviva Premiership}}