Sky Sports is also showing five clashes between last season's big four before the end of November, with Liverpool v Manchester United on September 13 and the champions visit to Chelsea on September 21. Chelsea play host to Liverpool on October 26 before Arsenal against Manchester United on November 8 and the London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal on November 30.

Guinness Prem live Sky Sports will open the season with a double-header starting at Franklin's Gardens when Northampton Saints take on Worcester Warriors, followed by Gloucester Rugby against Leicester Tigers at Kingsholm.

THE RYDER CUP - Exclusively live coverage of the 2008 Ryder Cup matches, as Europe defend in Valhalla, Kentucky [19 -21 September]. Sky HD viewers could watch the European victory in remarkable detail, with four times the clarity of standard definition pictures and Dolby 5.1 sound.