The match will be on Saturday, September 6 while the other visitors to the Gardens during Steptember will be London Wasps while Saints will travel to Newcastle Falcons, Saracens and Leicester Tigers.

The East Midlands derby will be played on Tuesday, September 30 or Wednesday, October 1, to enable the Grand Final to be brought forward by two weeks, a move made necessary by a clash with the British Lions' opening tour match in South Africa.

Saints will have three home matches at the turn of the year against Harlequins (Dec 20), Bristol (Jan 3) and Leicester (Jan 10), with their away game being at Bath (Dec 27).

Once again the last match at the Gardens will be against London Irish (April 18) although the season finishes at Sale Sharks on the weekend of April 24/25/26.

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder said: "There are no easy games in the Premiership and September will be a massive challenge, especially with three away games.

"Having said that, we will have to be at our best for the home matches as well. Worcester got better and better towards the end of last season and Wasps are always tough opponents.

"Newcastle, Saracens and Leicester will also be difficult trips. One thing is certain – we will be taking each game as it comes and giving it our best effort."