NEWCASTLE Falcons will kick off their return to the top-flight with a home game against Bath after the fixture list for the Aviva Premiership was released today.

After winning promotion from the Championship last season, Dean Richards' side will entertain Bath at Kingston Park on Friday, September 6 as they attempt to re-establish themselves in the Premiership.

Their first away game will take them to Sale Sharks seven days later, before a difficult double-header against Leicester and Gloucester rounds off September.

Falcons entertain London Wasps in a festive home game on December 27 and will end the season by hosting Exeter Chiefs on May 10.

NEWCASTLE FALCONS' AVIVA PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES

September
Fri 6 BATH (H)
Fri 13 Sale Sharks (a)
Sat 21 Leicester Tigers (a)
Sun 29 GLOUCESTER (H)

October
Sat 5 Worcester Warriors (a)
Sun 27 LONDON IRISH (H)

November
Sat 2 Saracens (a)
Sat 23 Northampton Saints (a)

December
Sun 1 HARLEQUINS (H)
Sat 21 Exeter Chiefs (a)
Fri 27 LONDON WASPS (H)

January
Fri 3 SALE SHARKS (H)

February
Sat 8 Bath (a)
Sat 15 Harlequins (a)
Sun 23 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS (H)

March
Sun 2 LEICESTER TIGERS (H)
Sat 22 Gloucester (a)
Sun 30 WORCESTER WARRIORS (H)

April
Sun 13 London Irish (a)
Sun 20 SARACENS (H)

May
Sat 3 London Wasps (a)
Sat 10 EXETER CHIEFS (H)