Tough start has Leeds coach Back excited for new season

The Yorkshire club, who defeated six of the 11 clubs in the sport's elite on their way to an unexpected consolidation in the top flight last season, begin against Bath on Saturday, September 4 before travelling to Gloucester seven days later.

Leeds only failed to register a point on six occasions last season, three of those blanks coming in their four games with Bath - whom they have just signed back row Daniel Browne from - and Gloucester.

A difficult first month also sees them play last season's Premiership finalists as they host Saracens and then visit Leicester Tigers on the final weekend of the month.

The first block of Premiership fixtures ends with a trip to meet London Irish at the Madejski Stadium, scene of one of their most famous wins of the 2009-10 campaign.

As the promoted side last season, Leeds had to raise their performance every time they took the field and head coach Neil Back will be expecting nothing less in their second season in the top flight, despite welcoming a home opener.

"We are delighted to be starting at home and it should be a great occasion for our supporters to come out and give the side their backing at the start of a long, hard season," said Back, whose side drew their first game of last season with Newcastle at Headingley Carnegie.

"Hopefully, Bath will start this season as they started last season, and not how they ended it by beating us to get into the play-offs.

"We need to make sure we start the season as we ended it, when we had the form of a top-four team.

"We have recruited well over the summer and we feel we have a better balance and more strength in depth in the squad.

"We hope to use the experience of last year and the additional talent to our benefit this season.

"Two weeks into pre-season and already we have set out, like we have the last two seasons, not to fail through a lack of effort, and from what we've seen already, the players will be giving their all in every game again this coming season.

"We know we need to improve on last season and that is what we are looking to do."

Following the break for the European Amlin Challenge Cup in October – in which Leeds have been pooled with European heavyweights Stade Francais – they host Sale and Wasps, before visiting newly-promoted Exeter at Sandy Park on November 20.

Leeds visit Newcastle on Boxing Day, host Gloucester on New Year's Day weekend and conclude their season in the first weekend in May away at Northampton Saints.

Leeds have today officially revealed their eighth new signing of the summer with back row Browne, 31, joining from Bath on a two-year contract.

Browne has spent the last three seasons at the Recreation Ground having previously played in the Premiership with Northampton Saints. In total he has made 65 appearances in the Premiership and has also played in the top flight in France with Grenoble.

Born in New Zealand, Browne's father is Irish and the move to Leeds Carnegie is seen as a chance for him to press for international recognition alongside the likes of Hendre Fourie and Steve Thompson in the Yorkshire-pack.