Championship play-off final losers Bristol host Rotherham and relegated Worcester face a derby with Birmingham on the first day of the new season.

Bristol endured heartbreak in the two-legged final against Exeter last month.

Worcester dropped out of the Premiership after six years when they finished four points adrift of Sale.

Other openers on 28 August see Cornish Pirates face Doncaster, Moseley take on Esher, Bedford tackle Plymouth and Nottingham entertain London Welsh.

The Rugby Football Union have confirmed the three-stage season structure played last term will remain.

A 22-match season will be followed by a six-match play-off/relegation stage for the top eight and bottom four.

The top four teams of the play-off stage two will then proceed to semi-finals, with the winners being promoted to the Guinness Premiership, subject to meeting entry criteria.

British & Irish Cup fixtures have yet to be announced.

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