Sky Sports and Premier Rugby have confirmed the first live televised matches for the 2002-2003 Zurich Premiership campaign.

Starting with Leicester's opening match at Leeds, eight live games have already been scheduled over the opening weeks of the season and the confirmed matches feature all 12 teams from rugby's top division.

The live Zurich Premiership fixtures include:
* Leeds Tykes v Leicester Tigers
Zurich Premiership and European Cup champions Leicester face a tricky opener away to Leeds, last year's bottom placed club. Both teams boast summer signings, making this contest an intriguing one to open Sky's domestic coverage.

* Gloucester vs Bristol Shoguns
Two of South-West England's powerhouses do battle at Kingsholm as Gloucester host rivals Bristol Shoguns in a rematch of the Zurich

Championship final.

* Sale Sharks vs London Irish
Powergen Cup holders London Irish travel to Sale Sharks, runners up to Leicester in last year's Zurich Premiership.

Sky Sports will show up to 28 matches, exclusively live, from this season's Zurich Premiership in addition to The Rugby Club, Sky's weekly rugby union magazine show, which returns with a pre-season special on Thursday 29th August. Sky's presentation team will continue to include the likes of Simon Lazenby, Stuart Barnes, Dewi Morris, Michael Lynagh and Miles Harrison.

The first eight televised games are:
Round 1
Saturday 31st August
Leeds Tykes v. Leicester Tigers 14.00 kick off

Round 2
Saturday 7th September
Northampton Saints v. Newcastle Falcons 14.00 kick off

Round 3
Saturday 14th September
Bath v. London Wasps 14.00 kick off

Round 4
Saturday 21st September
Gloucester v. Bristol Shoguns 14.00 kick off

Round 5
Saturday 28th September
Saracens v. Northampton Saints 14.00 kick off

Round 6
Saturday 5th October
Sale Sharks v. London Irish 14.00 kick off

Round 7
Saturday 26th October
London Wasps v. Gloucester 14.00 kick off

Round 8
Saturday 2nd November
NEC Harlequins v. Bath 14.00 kick off