WASPS could hardly have been handed a tougher start to the new Aviva Premiership campaign as they kick off against three of last season’s top four teams.

Dai Young’s men get up and running at the Twickenham double header on September 6 when they will meet Saracens in a 2pm ko.

They host Northampton at Adams Park a week later in their first match of the season in High Wycombe, before they go to Harlequins on September 20.

Wasps failed to beat any the trio in the league last season, suffering one-point defeats to Quins home and away as well as the horror show that was their 74-13 hammering at Franklin’s Gardens.

Life should get easier at home to Newcastle at the end of September before they play newly-promoted London Welsh in Wycombe on November 16.

Meanwhile, Wasps fans could have a decent Christmas with London Irish and Sale at home either side of a trip to Gloucester on December 27, while February 20 is another date for the diary with a Friday night meeting away in Newcastle.

That game comes in the middle of a tough six-game burst for Wasps, which also includes games agaisnt Bath, Quins, Saracens and Northampton.

Dai Young’s men finish their home campaign against Leicester on May 10 before a trip to London Irish on May 16.

2014/15 fixtures:

Sat, Sep 6 Saracens Away

Sun, Sep 14 Northampton Home

Sat, Sep 20 Harlequins Away

Sun, Sep 28 Newcastle Home

Sun, Oct 5 Sale Sharks Away

Sun, Oct 12 Bath Home

Sun, Nov 16 London Welsh Home

Sat, Nov 22 Exeter Home

Sat, Nov 29 Leicester Away

Sun, Dec 21 London Irish Home

Sat, Dec 27 Gloucester Away

Sun, Jan 4 Sale Home

Sat, Jan 10 Bath Away

Sun, Feb 15 Harlequins Home

Fri, Feb 20 Newcastle Away

Sun, Mar 01 Gloucester Home

Sun, Mar 08 Saracens Home

Sat, Mar 28 Northampton Away

Sun, Apr 12 London Welsh Away

Sun, Apr 26 Exeter Home

Sun, May 10 Leicester Home

Sat, May 16 London Irish Away