Kings of the North: Leicester, Sale & Newcastle in pre-season contest

Leicester have beat both Sale and Newcastle home and away this season

Leicester Tigers, Sale Sharks and Newcastle Falcons will begin their preparations for the 2015-16 Premiership season with a tournament called Kings of the North.

The teams will play each other home and away during September and October while the 2015 Rugby World Cup takes place.

The Premiership has delayed the start of next season until mid-October because of the World Cup.

The trio are the three most northerly clubs in the English top flight.

"Everyone wants to get the season off to a good start and the Kings of the North tournament provides a perfect opportunity to get a run of games together before kick-off in the league campaign," said Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill.

Sale boss Sale Steve Diamond added: "All three teams will be fine-tuning their work ahead of the start of the league season and there should be some good contests home and away."

Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards added: "I'm sure it will provide a high-profile curtain-raiser to the new season for all three clubs and we look forward to welcoming the teams and supporters from Sharks and the Tigers to Kingston Park."