Fireworks go off as Harlequins and Leicester take to the field at Twickenham on Saturday night © Getty Images

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Picture Gallery: Guinness Premiership 2008-09 - Round 10

The aggregate attendance of approximately 110,000 for this weekend's round of Guinness Premiership matches will be comfortably the highest per weekend attendance in the history of the league.

Harlequins' record crowd of 50,000 for their match against Leicester Tigers was the highest attendance for a league match outside the London Double Header and was a sell-out for the stadium under its restricted capacity. Of the other five matches, four were sell-outs and the Newcastle attracted their biggest crowd of the season for the visit of Worcester.

Speaking at 'The Big Game' at Twickenham, Premier Rugby Chief Executive Mark McCafferty said, "Harlequins' record crowd here at Twickenham has helped us on the way to our best ever crowd for a round of matches and that has been supported by sell-outs across the country.

"In the recent fan survey 87% of our supporters said they felt the Guinness Premiership was great value for money and there is no doubt that the exciting and competitive rugby being played and the fact that the Guinness Premiership is great value entertainment for all the family has helped us achieve these record figures.

"I would like to thank all our fans for their continued support and wish all rugby fans a Happy New Year."

The previous highest in-season attendance was 82,534 for the round nine matches in the 2007-08 season and the highest ever aggregate attendance was 104,415 for the round one matches in the 2006-07 season.

The Guinness Premiership continues this coming weekend as the Guinness Premiership reaches the half way point with round eleven. Two of the most successful clubs in England, Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby, meet at Welford Road in one of two televised matches and in the other, reigning champions London Wasps meet their local rivals Harlequins at Adams Park.

Gloucester Rugby play Saracens at Kingsholm and London Irish play Newcastle Falcons at the Madejski Stadium. In the Midlands, Northampton Saints play Bristol Rugby at Franklin's Gardens and Worcester Warriors welcome Sale Sharks to Sixways.