Leicester Tigers v. Bath Rugby – Sunday at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN
“They have surprised a lot of people with how well they’ve started. This game is a huge measuring stick for Bath.” – Analyst Alex Corbisiero
Streaming-Only Coverage on NBCSports.com & the NBC Sports App – Bristol Rugby v. Exeter Chiefs on Friday at 2:45 p.m. ET, Northampton Saints v. Wasps on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET
STAMFORD, Conn. – September 21, 2016 – NBC Sports Group’s coverage of the 2016-17 Aviva Premiership Rugby campaign continues this weekend, highlighted by a showdown between undefeated league-leader Bath Rugby v. Leicester Tigers on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
In addition to NBCSN’s coverage of Leicester-Bath, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will provide live, exclusive streaming coverage of a pair of matches this weekend, beginning on Friday at 2:45 p.m. ET, when Bristol Rugby host Exeter Chiefs. NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will also stream Saturday’s match featuring Northampton Saints and Wasps at 10 a.m. ET.
NBC Sports’ Leigh Diffey will anchor studio coverage for Sunday’s Leicester-Bath match on NBCSN. He will be joined by analyst and former Premiership Rugby player Alex Corbisiero, who played seven combined seasons for London Irish and Northampton Saints.
Bath are off to a hot start under new director of rugby Todd Blackadder, and are hoping to move to 4-0-0 for the first time since the 2003-04 season. George Ford currently ranks second in the Premiership with 53 points, and Semesa Rokoduguni has three tries, tied for second. Leicester Tigers (2-0-1) are coming off a 14-13 win in Round 3 over Newcastle Falcons after Joel Hodgson missed a potential game-winning drop-goal for Newcastle at the end of the match.
Corbisiero on Bath’s start and Sunday’s match vs. Leicester: “They have surprised a lot of people with how well they’ve started. This game is a huge measuring stick for Bath. They’ve gotten wins against two of the easier teams, and did a very professional job at Northampton in Round 1. If they can win Sunday’s match, they’re a real contender for the Top 4.”
Corbisiero’s outlook on the Premiership after Round 3: “Saracens are still winning, and this streak in such a competitive league is a testament to their ability to find ways to win, even when they don’t play their best. Is the gap closing? Who will be their challenger later in the year? Wasps and Bath appear to be the two who can give them a run, as well as Exeter, who have disappointed a bit with their start.”
Each weekend, NBC Sports Group will present the most compelling Premiership Rugby matches on the schedule, often preceding or following live coverage of Premier League soccer. The Premiership Rugby season will culminate with live coverage of the league Final on Saturday, May 27 on NBCSN.
Following is NBC Sports Group’s 2016-17 Aviva Premiership Rugby schedule through Round 8 of the season:
Date | Coverage | Time (ET) | Network |
Fri., Sept. 23 | Bristol Rugby v. Exeter Chiefs | 2:45 p.m. | Streaming |
Sat., Sept. 24 | Northampton Saints v. Wasps | 10 a.m. | Streaming |
Sun., Sept. 25 | Leicester Tigers v. Bath Rugby* | 7 p.m. | NBCSN |
Fri., Sept. 30 | Northampton Saints v. Exeter Chiefs | 2:45 p.m. | Streaming |
Sat., Oct. 1 | Gloucester Rugby v. Bath Rugby* | 8 p.m. | NBCSN |
Sun., Oct. 2 | Worcester Warriors v. Newcastle Falcons* | 10:30 p.m. | NBCSN |
Fri., Oct. 7 | Bath Rugby v. Sale Sharks | 2:45 p.m. | Streaming |
Sat., Oct. 8 | Harlequins v. Northampton Saints | 10 a.m. | NBCSN |
Sun., Oct. 9 | Saracens v. Wasps* | 11 a.m. | NBCSN |
Fri., Oct. 28 | Northampton Saints v. Gloucester Rugby | 2:45 p.m. | Streaming |
Sat., Oct. 29 | Saracens v. Leicester Tigers* | 3:30 p.m. | NBCSN |
Sun., Oct. 30 | Exeter Chiefs v. Bath Rugby | 10 a.m. | Streaming |
Fri., Nov. 18 | Bath Rugby v. Bristol rugby | 2:45 p.m. | Streaming |
Sun., Nov. 20 | Sale Sharks v. Saracens | 8 a.m. | Streaming |
Leicester Tigers v. Harlequins | 10 a.m. | Streaming |
PREMIERSHIP RUGBY ON NBCSPORTS.COM AND THE NBC SPORTS APP: NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs — will provide live streaming of all Premiership Rugby matches airing on NBCSN, as well as exclusive streaming coverage of matches each week, via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to for their subscription service, and making high quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms.*denotes same-day delay
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