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As a precursor to the start of the new Premiership Rugby season, ESPN will broadcast the JP Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s live and exclusively from Friday 15th July. The tournament, now in its second year, will see all 12 Premiership teams taking part in three regional pool events, with the group winners and runners up contesting the Final at The Stoop on 5th August.

ESPN’s presenting team will be led by its rugby presenters Mark Durden-Smith and Sarra Elgan. From the gantry, ESPN’s commentary team of Nick Mullins, Ben Kay and Martin Gillingham will be covering the competition. Further analysis will be provided by Pete Richards, the former London Irish, Gloucester and Wasps scrum-half. Coverage will include pre-game build up and post match analysis for all the matches directly from pitchside, as ESPN gets viewers as close as possible to all the action.

At each of the three regional pool events, there will be six games and each match will consist of two seven-minute halves, with a one-minute break at half time. The matchday programming starts from 7:15pm every Friday for the three pool stages as last year’s winners, and newly crowned Premiership champions, Saracens seek to defend their 7s title.

Jeroen Oerlemans, Vice President & Channel Manager TV, ESPN Europe, Middle East & Africa, said: “With ESPN’s continued commitment to domestic English rugby, the JP Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s offers fans the chance to see all of England’s top flight teams in action over the summer. This fast-paced and exciting form of the game proved hugely popular last year and is a great way to open the new season.”

ESPN’s live and exclusive coverage of the JP Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series:

Pool stage - Friday 15th July, 7.15pm – 10.15pm: The Recreation Ground, Bath

Group A: Bath Rugby, Exeter Chiefs, Harlequins and London Irish

Presenter: Mark Durden-Smith. Commentators: Nick Mullins, Ben Kay

Pool stage - Friday 22nd July, 7.15pm – 10.15pm: Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton

Group B: Gloucester Rugby, London Wasps, Northampton Saints and Saracens

Presenter: Sarra Elgan. Commentators: Martin Gillingham, Ben Kay

Pool stage - Friday 29th July, 7.15pm – 10.15pm: Edgeley Park, Sale

Group C: Leicester Tigers, Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors.

Presenter: Sarra Elgan. Commentators: Martin Gillingham, Ben Kay

The Final - Friday 5th August, 6.45pm – 10.30pm: The Stoop, London

Final: Featuring the winner and runner up from each pool.

Presenter: Mark Durden-Smith. Commentators: Nick Mullins, Ben Kay