Bath
Bottom of the pile last season but with Johann van Graan’s arrival comes a degree of optimism that things will improve. At the very least supporters can expect more commitment than was shown in the humiliating defeat by Gloucester in April and, in Chris Cloete, Dave Attwood and Quinn Roux, the South African coach has added some heft to his forwards. Orlando Bailey caught the eye in glimpses at fly-half last term and a big season beckons without the helping hand of Danny Cipriani. Most important, though, will be how quickly Van Graan can foster a togetherness after Bath looked anything but for large spells last term.
Last season: 13th Predicted finish this season: 11th Key player: Joe Cokanasiga World Cup bolter: Ewan Richards.
Bristol
Bristol had a car crash of a season last term – almost immediately after Pat Lam’s long-term contract extension – with rumblings behind the scenes that all was not well, not to mention too many capitulations on the field. Lam has recruited shrewdly, however, and though Ellis Genge’s arrival commands attention, AJ MacGinty could prove the signing of the season. Bristol will always entertain and Lam remains unflinchingly committed to the brand of rugby he wants his side to play. If he can park last season and find a way to ensure his messages and methods resonate again then maybe that bumper contract will be worth it.
Last season: 10th Predicted finish this season: 4th Key player: Steven Luatua World Cup bolter: Gabriel Ibitoye
Exeter
Exactly what went wrong at Exeter last season is unclear and if the new law amendments blunted their close-range scoring weapon to an extent, it was not the only problem at the Chiefs. There are few people you would want conducting the off-season postmortem more than Rob Baxter, however, and though he has found managing his squad under the salary cap difficult he has a core starting lineup most directors of rugby would envy. Sam Simmonds and Henry Slade will both have benefited from a summer recuperating and Baxter will hope to have them available sooner rather than later. A revamp of the coaching staff should also help freshen things up.
Last season: 7th Predicted finish this season: 9th Key player: Jacques Vermeulen World Cup bolter: Patrick Schickerling.
Gloucester
Optimism abounds at Kingsholm, with George Skivington overseeing an impressive upturn in fortunes at the club. Unsurprisingly given his playing career, Skivington has forged a formidable pack at Gloucester, with the driving maul a potent weapon, and has some lethal finishers in the backs. Their defeat by Harlequins at Twickenham in May was their season in microcosm but Skivington was encouraged by the steps forward taken across the campaign. They don’t lose too many in the international windows and if Jake Polledri can get back on the pitch and close to his previous form it will be a significant boost to Gloucester’s playoff hopes and a sight to warm the heart given everything he has been through.
Last season: 5th Predicted finish this season: 6th Key player: Freddie Clarke World Cup bolter: Ruan Ackermann
Harlequins
Their tendency to rely too much on André Esterhuizen’s ball-carrying was ultimately exposed by Saracens in last season’s semi-final, but given how effective it can be, who would blame them. Losing Hugh Tizard is a blow – he was among the standout performers across the Premiership last term – but having Will Evans available from the off is a considerable boost. This feels like a big season for Marcus Smith with a World Cup looming on the back of an inevitable plateau in form towards the end of last term. Fundamentally, however, the key question is whether the coaches can ensure the spark that has made Harlequins such a delight to watch in recent seasons does not fade.
Last season: 3rd Predicted finish this season: 2nd Key player: André Esterhuizen World Cup bolter: Will Evans
Leicester
Bolstered by the marquee signings of Handré Pollard and Anthony Watson, the defending champions must hope that after last season’s success early in the Steve Borthwick project, there is still scope for improvement. That said, with Ellis Genge and George Ford moving on there are huge voids to fill, not least in terms of leadership. Hanro Liebenberg filled in admirably as captain last season but the old cliche goes that defending a title is more difficult than winning one and the Tigers may just find things harder going this season without Ford’s game-management from fly-half.
Last season: 1st Predicted finish this season: 5th Key player: Julian Montoya World Cup bolter: Dan Kelly
London Irish
This is in many ways a key season for London Irish, who have a rich seam of young English talent running through a squad that also features some seasoned old pros. Finding some consistency to add to their capacity to entertain – they took part in five draws last season – will be a priority for Declan Kidney but, with Henry Arundell set for more game time along with Will Joseph, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Tom Parton and Ben Loader, they are capable of beating anyone on their day. They will miss Albert Tuisue at No 8, where they begin the season looking short, and the importance of Sean O’Brien’s cameos from the bench last term should not be underestimated.
Last season: 8th Predicted finish this season: 8th Key player: Curtis Rona World Cup bolter: Will Joseph
Newcastle
Dave Walder is one of the sport’s good guys so here’s hoping his step up to take charge after Dean Richards’s departure is a successful one. The odds are stacked against Newcastle, however, with the Falcons seemingly forced to cut their cloth with a number of departures on the back of a season in which they finished with a run of one league win since November. The Falcons will never want for effort and the sooner their three Argentina backs return from the Rugby Championship the better but it could be a long season for all concerned at Newcastle.
Last season: 12th Predicted finish this season: 13th Key player: Will Welch World Cup bolter: George McGuigan
Northampton
Chris Boyd has gone, even if he’ll be dropping in from time to time, but the New Zealander’s legacy may yet be truly felt with the emergence of another crop of talented youngsters. The Saints finished last season in fine fettle and gave Leicester an almighty scare in the semi-finals when a touch more composure was all that was required to book a place at Twickenham. A few old heads have departed, some intriguing Australian signings have arrived and, with Alex Mitchell and Dan Biggar at half-backs, Northampton will always be worth watching. How quickly Phil Dowson adjusts to life as director of rugby though will be key to how Saints fare.
Last season: 4th Predicted finish this season: 7th Key player: Alex Mitchell World Cup bolter: Aaron Hinkley
Sale
A fascinating full second season awaits under Alex Sanderson, who in typically candid style has repeatedly admitted that he has found the job of director of rugby a bigger challenge than he anticipated. South African stardust has departed in the form of Lood de Jager and Faf de Klerk, and scrum-half could prove a problem if Raffi Quirke is away with England for large spells. Discipline was a problem throughout last season but Ford’s arrival is something to celebrate and speaks to Sanderson’s determination to litter his squad with local lads. How quickly Ford can recover from his achilles injury and hit his straps will go a long way towards defining their season.
Last season: 6th Predicted finish this season: 3rd Key player: George Ford World Cup bolter: Tom Roebuck
Saracens
Reaching the final in their first season back in the top flight is no mean feat but, make no mistake, Saracens will be smarting at their last-gasp defeat at Twickenham. As a result they will be fiercely competitive again, have added some clever signings in Hugh Tizard and Eduardo Bello and promoted a clutch of promising youngsters from their academy. The coaches made a point of heavily rotating the squad last season and will reap the rewards this term. Scrum-half remains one area of concern but the success of Saracens and Leicester last season showed us that a gameplan built on robust defence and accurate kicking remains mightily effective.
Last season: 2nd Predicted finish this season: 1st Key player: Alex Lozowski World Cup bolter: Hugh Tizard
Wasps
The club have struggled with injury problems more than most in recent years and endured their own financial hardships of late. Big names have departed in Jimmy Gopperth and Malakai Fekitoa and have not been replaced and, while Vincent Koch’s arrival is a coup, it could be a long season for Lee Blackett’s side. Keeping Joe Launchbury fit would help and there are sure to be some memorable days for Wasps when everything clicks – the worry is that it will not happen often enough.
Last season: 9th Predicted finish this season: 10th Key player: Joe Launchbury World Cup bolter: Paolo Odogwu
Worcester
At this stage getting to the end of the season would be an accomplishment for the financially stricken club but the hope must be that new investment is forthcoming urgently and Steve Diamond can continue the impressive job he has already done. It does not feel like empty rhetoric when listening to all and sundry praise Diamond’s leadership in recent weeks and, if the Warriors can emerge from their plight with the squad largely intact, they will be a side who, in the mould of their director of rugby, are at the very least resilient to the end.
Last season: 11th Predicted finish this season: 12th Key player: Owen Williams World Cup bolter: Ted Hill
