PREMIERSHIP Rugby has confirmed two fixtures which will trial away supporter zones across rounds 14 and 15 of the competition.

The trials will take place this Saturday when Saracens host Gloucester at the Barnet Copthall, and the following weekend when Leicester welcome Harlequins to the Welford Road Stadium.

It is hoped that the new initiative, which will allow supporters from visiting clubs to gather in a single stand, will improve atmospheres and drive up attendances.

Saracens and Leicester offered to be involved in the trials, and the plan is that more teams will adopt the scheme next season if the test runs are successful.

Rob Calder, chief growth officer at Premiership Rugby, said: “The opportunity to trial these away zones during the run-in is a progressive step for rugby.

“Home and away fans sitting together, sharing a drink and chatting about the game, is a great tradition of our sport and there is no desire to change that. This project is about providing an additional ticketing option to travelling supporters.

“We’ve also listened to our players, who say that they thrive off the noise and energy that a vocal cluster of away support can bring.”