Premiership Rugby has revealed that the number of supporters attending English domestic matches has risen.

So far this season a 14.2% rise has been recorded, which averages out to 11,950 people per match.

Discussing those figures, Premiership Rugby's chief executive Mark McCafferty believes that they show just how popular the sport has become.

"These are impressive figures and show that the 12 Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs are producing a diet of rugby that supporters are enjoying in big numbers," said McCafferty.

"We expected a rise over the first six rounds because we were comparing matches that took place while the Rugby World Cup was on in 2011, but the steep rise across Aviva Premiership Rugby shows its strength."

The Aviva Premiership returns this weekend following two rounds of Heineken Cup action.