Four matches on opening Saturday of Premiership season
Exeter score six tries in 40-6 thrashing of Leicester
Danny Cipriani stars as Gloucester beat Northampton 27-16
Harlequins scores six tries to beat Sale 51-23 in Paul Gustard's first game
Wasps snatch late 21-20 win at Worcester
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Image source, Getty ImagesThe 'Keep off' signs have done their job. The pitches are like lawns, manicured to perfection.
Four months of downtime have allowed the divots and ruts to heal.
Lines marked out to precision; white flecks of paint on lush green turf.
All ready to be trampled upon. The start of a new season - doesn't it feel good to have Premiership rugby back?
Image source, Getty ImagesThe novelty of a 'free' weekend has long worn off.
Trips to the supermarket, DIY stores, shopping malls and the like all merge into one.
Today is different, though.
New shirts hang ready to be donned. Lucky scarves dug out of the cupboard. Undaunted optimism is allowed to run wild.
Friendships reunited over pints, on terraces. The start of a new season.
Image source, Getty ImagesToday it will all be worth it. The burning lungs, the dripping sweat and aching muscles.
The hill sprints, the shuttles, the weights pushed and sleds pulled.
Gruelling hours on the paddock, scrums set, reset, set and reset again. Ad infinitum.