The London Double Header began in 2004 and opens the season of the English Premiership (currently sponsored as the Aviva Premiership), the top rugby union league in England.
Contents
Two games are played consecutively at Twickenham, usually involving the 'big four' London origin teams of the Premiership, Harlequins, London Irish, Wasps (London Wasps until the 2014–15 season) and Saracens. Harlequins were relegated from the premiership at the end of the 2004–05 season and thus for the 2005–06 season Leeds Tykes (now known as Yorkshire Carnegie) 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. Between 2008 and 2015 and the inception of The Big Game, Harlequins only competed in the double header as an away side in order to reduce the number of home games they play away from the Stoop.
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 late May.
2009
Scorers:
Scorers:
London Wasps 26 – 15 Harlequins
Teams:
Replacements: Joe Ward, Ben Broster, Tom French, Dan Leo, Hugo Ellis, Warren Fury, Dave Walder, Lachlan Mitchell.
Scorers:
Replacements: Tani Fuga, Aston Croall, John Andress, Jim Evans, Tom Guest, Steve So'oialo, Rory Clegg, George Lowe.
Scorers:
Key:
2015
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.
2016
The 2016 London Double Header will return to its traditional Round 1 position. London Irish were relegated from the Premiership and therefore would not take part. Home teams were confirmed on 28 June, with away teams confirmed at fixture launch on 7 July.