Bristol face Worcester Warriors in Championship opener

Cornish Pirates beat play-off losers Bristol in their opening day clash at Exeter's Sandy Park

The Championship has dropped its double-headed opening weekend fixtures after just one season.

The league had experimented by adding a 23rd game to the schedule at the start of last term, with the 12 teams split over three venues across the country.

Worcester, who were relegated from the Premiership last term, face play-off losers Bristol on the opening weekend.

The match will take place at Bristol's new home Ashton Gate between Friday, 5 September and Sunday, 7 September.

Losing play-off semi-finalists Leeds Carnegie open their campaign with a trip to Cornish Pirates, while Rotherham Titans are away to London Scottish.

As an alternative to the 23rd game concept, a Championship-select team will take on Canada on Saturday, 1 November.

The league team last played a match in November 2012, when they took on the Maori All Blacks in Doncaster.

"We're delighted to be bringing the Championship XV game back into the league season," said Geoff Irvine, chairman of the Championship clubs committee.

"As highlighted by the sell-out Maori All Blacks fixture two years ago, such a game offers a great appeal for Championship supporters and players."

Opening Championship fixtures:

London Scottish v Rotherham Titans

Nottingham Rugby v Bedford Blues

Doncaster Knights v Plymouth Albion

Moseley v Jersey

Bristol Rugby v Worcester Warriors

Cornish Pirates v Leeds Carnegie

Fixtures to be played between Friday, 5 September and Sunday, 7 September