CONFIRMED: Saints will return to action with Wasps clash as first four Premiership fixtures are announced

Squad management will be key for Saints boss Chris Boyd during a busy end to the season

Chris Boyd's side will then travel to London Irish on the following Saturday, but the venue is yet to be confirmed.

Saints are likely to have three midweek games on their schedule as they bid to fit in nine regular-season matches during the course of approximately six weeks.

Their first midweek game will be against Bath at the Gardens on Wednesday, August 26.

Saints must then travel to Harlequins just four days later.

The other five rounds of fixtures are yet to be confirmed, though we understand midweek matches at Bristol Bears and at home to Sale Sharks are also on Saints' agenda.

A derby-day date at Leicester Tigers could be played on Sunday, September 13, on the weekend before the Champions Cup quarter-final at Exeter Chiefs.

Television matches, and official dates for the final five regular-season matches are still to be confirmed.

Saints' confirmed Premiership matches

Sunday, August 16: Saints v Wasps (Franklin's Gardens)

Saturday, August 22: London Irish v Saints (TBC)

Wednesday, August 26: Saints v Bath (Franklin's Gardens)

Sunday, August 30: Harlequins v Saints (Twickenham Stoop)

Premiership matches yet to be confirmed with possible dates

Friday, September 4: Saints v Exeter Chiefs (Franklin's Gardens)

Tuesday, September 8: Bristol Bears v Saints (Ashton Gate)

Sunday, September 13: Leicester Tigers v Saints (Welford Road)

Wednesday, September 23: Saints v Sale Sharks (Franklin's Gardens)

As part of Friday's announcement, Premiership Rugby confirmed that Harlequins and Sale Sharks will have the honour of kicking off the resumption of the Premiership on Friday, August 14.

All attention will turn to the Twickenham Stoop, 159 days after the last Gallagher Premiership Rugby match was staged.

Following the opener in west London there will be four compelling matches on Saturday at Bath Rugby, Worcester Warriors, Bristol Bears and leaders Exeter Chiefs.

The weekend ends at Franklin’s Gardens with Saints' clash with Wasps.

Darren Childs, chief executive at Premiership Rugby said: “With just over a month to go, we are delighted to be on track to bring rugby back to fans and see our players out in competition.

"The good news I can bring is that the Gallagher Premiership will be back a little earlier than we previously announced with the first game scheduled on August 14.

"I must thank all of our players, clubs, partners, the RFU and RPA who have all supported us on this journey, and we are now cautiously optimistic for a safe return to the season."

Premiership Rugby has also confirmed that the Premiership final will take place on Saturday. October 24.