2013–14 Premiership Rugby  The 2013–14 Aviva Premiership was the 27th season of the top flight of the English domestic rugby union competition and the fourth to be sponsored by Aviva. This was also the first season to be broadcast exclusively by BT Sport. The reigning champions entering the season were Leicester Tigers, who claimed their 10th title after defeating Northampton Saints in the 2012–13 final. It was their 9th successive final appearance, but only their first win since 2009–10. Newcastle Falcons made an immediate return to the top level, earning promotion by winning the 2012–13 RFU Championship play-offs against Bedford Blues. London Welsh, having finished bottom of the 2012–13 table, were relegated to the RFU Championship. On 31 May, Northampton Saints beat Saracens 24-20 to win the final at Twickenham. The 2013 edition of the Premiership Rugby Sevens Series began on 1 August 2013 at Kingsholm, continued on 2 August at Franklin's Gardens and 3 August at Allianz Park. The finals was on 9 August 2013 at The Recreation Ground. This was the first opportunity of the season for any of the teams competing in the Premiership to win a trophy. Gloucester 7s won the Series Final, beating Leicester Tigers 7s 24 – 17 and with it qualification to the inaugural World Club 7s at Twickenham. Premiership Rugby announced the fixture list on 4 July 2013. As with previous seasons, Round 1 included the London Double Header at Twickenham. Fixtures as per Premiership Rugby Match Centre. All games in Round 22 kicked off at 15:15 on 10 May 2014, so as to not give any team a potential advantage with regards to knowing how to achieve a play-off berth, European Rugby Champions Cup place, or safety from relegation. As with previous seasons, the play-offs followed a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system, with the games being played at the home ground of the higher placed teams. The final was contested at Twickenham between the winners of the two semi-finals. For the first time, the final went to extra time as the teams finished the regulation 80 minutes at 14 all. Note: Flags to the left of player names indicate national team as has been defined under IRB eligibility rules, or primary nationality for players who have not yet earned international senior caps. Players may hold one or more non-IRB nationalities.