Bath
Director of rugby Todd Blackadder
Perhaps the most eye-catching signing Bath have made is on the coaching rather than playing staff with Girvan Dempsey arriving to sharpen the attack. Dempsey has considerable pedigree and Todd Blackadder is optimistic that, with the Irishman in position, his side can find the consistency needed for a top-four push. Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph are long-term injury absentees but the Rec’s treatment room has cleared somewhat with Semesa Rokoduguni and Sam Underhill ready to start the campaign.
Last season 6th
Predicted finish 9th
Bristol
Head coach Pat Lam
Rebranded as the Bears and bolstered by Charles Piutau, George Smith and John Afoa, Bristol are thinking big, targeting a top-half finish and a place in the Champions Cup. The ambition is backed by Steve Lansdown’s millions but also one of the shrewdest coaches around in Lam. He often talks of realising a vision and one cannot help but be impressed. But the reality remains that, if the scrum goes backwards every week, then they will face a swift return to the Championship.
Last season Promoted
Predicted finish 10th
Exeter
Director of rugby Rob Baxter
It says everything about their development over the last few years that it would be a shock if Exeter do not make it back to Twickenham for a fourth final in a row. Alex Cuthbert is one of the more intriguing signings of the summer but it is Baxter’s ability to blend young talent with experience that really pays off. Baxter has alluded to the kind of challenges Exeter now face – keeping hold of their England stars who will inevitably command bigger wages – but so far the Chiefs have overcome every hurdle in their way.
Last season Runners-up (1st in table)
Predicted finish 2nd
Gloucester
Head coach Johan Ackermann
More than anyone Gloucester will just be desperate for the season to start after the Danny Cipriani saga. There is an obvious buzz around the place, however, with a raft of new signings, including Cipriani, and the South African duo, Jaco Kriel and Gerbrandt Grobler. More importantly Ackermann has had a full pre-season to prepare his side and, if that means Gloucester are likely to look more like his Lions sides of recent years, then Cipriani may just run riot.
Last season 7th
Predicted finish 3rd
Harlequins
Head of rugby Paul Gustard
A dreadful last campaign brought sweeping and overdue change to the club but whether Gustard can bring about immediate improvements is uncertain. The squad is not vastly different from last season, though Renaldo Bothma and Demetri Catrakilis are now both fit. If Harlequins are unrecognisable for the better, it will be more of a damning indictment of their senior players’ attitude under John Kingston rather than Gustard’s midas touch. It is still a tall order, though.
Last season 10th
Predicted finish 11th
Leicester
Head coach Matt O’Connor
O’Connor is perhaps the coach under the most pressure on the eve of the season after Leicester missed out on the play-offs for the first time last campaign. Losing Matt Toomua to Australia for large parts of the season is a significant blow and, for all Kyle Eastmond’s strengths, he is not in the same bracket. Manu Tuilagi is fit to start the new season and Leicester have added some much-needed ballast up front in Guy Thompson, Will Spencer and Dave Denton.
Last season 5th
Predicted finish 8th
Newcastle
Director of rugby Dean Richards
The surprise package of last season and, while they have not made any high-profile signings, polishing rough diamonds is one of Richards’ greatest strengths. Only so much can be read into pre-season results but their thumping win away to Leinster was noted by the Saracens director of rugby, Mark McCall, recently. The Falcons’ ability to win on the road will be priceless in what is shaping up to be an extremely competitive season.
Last season 4th
Predicted finish 5th
Northampton
Director of rugby Chris Boyd
All change at Franklin’s Gardens and it would be fair to expect improvements this season based solely on the fact that things can hardly get much worse for the Saints. The Kiwi Chris Boyd comes from the Hurricanes with a big reputation but has only just arrived, so perhaps it will take until the following season for his true impact to be felt. The Welshman Dan Biggar must show he can handle the attritional nature of the Premiership to justify such big wages while the veteran James Haskell may prove one of the best bits of business in the Premiership.
Last season 9th
Predicted finish 7th
Sale
Director of rugby Steve Diamond
Chris Ashton’s lengthy ban will hit Sale hard but they have a backline that would be the envy of most clubs when all are present and correct. Steve Diamond still hopes to bolster his front row before the season starts but feels it is the strongest squad he has ever had at the Cheshire club. Sale fit into that sizeable group of teams knocking on the door of the top four and much will depend on their away form. To that end victory in that ill-tempered warm-up at Castres, the Top 14 champions, bodes well.
Last season 8th
Predicted finish 6th
Saracens
Director of rugby Mark McCall
It is hard to find a weakness among the Premiership champions, whose English core is edging close to its peak. If their rivals can find a reason to take heart it would be that perhaps Saracens will prioritise Europe this season. But considering the size of their winter wobble last season and their emphatic title triumph, Saracens remain, without doubt, the team to beat. David Strettle will fit straight back into the Allianz Park squad but, if there is to be a chink in their armour, Saracens will be at their most vulnerable during the international windows with Michael Rhodes now part of the England set-up as well.
Last season Champions (2nd in table)
Predicted finish Champions
Wasps
Director of rugby Dai Young
Much depends on how fast the fly-half Lima Sopoaga can hit the ground running as Wasps begin life after Danny Cipriani. The All Black is set to miss the first few rounds of the season – as is Brad Shields – after arriving late but much is expected of the marquee signing. Shields was solid if unspectacular for England in South Africa but he was such a consistent performer for the Hurricanes his class will shine through at the Ricoh. As ever with Wasps, defence is the problem. Sort that out and they will challenge.
Last season 3rd
Predicted finish 4th
Worcester
Director of rugby Alan Solomons
They appear vulnerable to Bristol’s big spending and much depends on keeping their half-backs Francois Hougaard and Jono Lance fit and firing. When the mood takes them they can look a million dollars but it does not happen often enough and a slow start will make for a long, hard campaign. A run of matches from Ben Te’o will help their cause – not least with Jackson Willison moving on.
Last season 11th
Predicted finish 12th