The 2016-17 English Premiership was the 30th season of the top flight of English domestic rugby union competition, and the seventh to be sponsored by Aviva. The competition was broadcast by BT Sport for the fourth successive season. Highlights of each weekend's games were shown on ITV with extended highlights on BT Sport.
The reigning champions entering the season were Saracens, who claimed their 3rd title (and 2nd consecutively) after defeating Exeter Chiefs in the 2015-16 final.
In the final on 27 May, Exeter Chiefs defeated Wasps 23-20 to win their first ever Premiership title.
After just one season back in the Premiership, Bristol were relegated with two games to go after they lost 21-36 to Wasps at Ashton Gate on 16 April 2017. Bristol's poor start to the season, combined with a lack of quality recruitment, meant that they always looked favourites for the drop and so it ultimately proved.
Video 2016-17 English Premiership
Teams
Bristol, having beaten Doncaster Knights 60 - 47 on aggregate in the Greene King IPA Championship play-off final, replace London Irish, who were relegated last season after finishing bottom of the table.
Maps 2016-17 English Premiership
Pre-season
The 2016 Singha Premiership Rugby Sevens was held in July and August. Once again, the four Welsh Regions contested as a group, alongside the twelve Premiership clubs, which were split into three groups. The top two sides from each group contested the series final at the Ricoh Arena on 6 August.
Table
Regular season
Fixtures for the season were announced by Premiership Rugby on 7 July 2016. As is the norm, round 1 included the London Double Header at Twickenham. For the first time since its 2004 inception, the Double Header involved only two London teams - Harlequins and Saracens - with London Irish having been relegated to the Championship for 2016-17 and Wasps no longer being based near London. Unlike the previous year, no games would take place abroad. All fixtures are subject to change.
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
Round 8
Round 9
Round 10
Round 11
Round 12
Round 13
Round 14
Round 15
Round 16
Round 17
Round 18
Round 19
Round 20
- Bristol are relegated providing the 2016-17 RFU Championship winners meet the minimum standards criteria.
Round 21
Round 22
Play-offs
As in previous seasons, the top four teams contest the semi-finals in a 1st v 4th, 2nd v 3rd format with the higher ranking team having home advantage. The two winners of the semi-finals meet in the final at Twickenham on 27 May.
Semi-finals
Final
Leading scorers
Note: Flags to the left of player names indicate national team as has been defined under World Rugby eligibility rules, or primary nationality for players who have not yet earned international senior caps. Players may hold one or more non-WR nationalities.
Attendances
By club
- Attendances do not include the final at Twickenham. The figures on the left hand side include marquee games (Big Game, The Clash, etc), the attendances for which are in bold.
Notes
References
External links
- Official website
Source of article : Wikipedia