With the new Gallagher Premiership season less than one week away from kick-off, it’s time for us to preview each of the 12 competing teams.
BATH
Director of Rugby: Todd Blackadder
Last season: 6th
It’s been steady progress at the Rec since Todd Blackadder took over from Mike Ford but not quite the forward leaps you’d expect from a squad so talented and so financially backed.
The initial optimism always seems to exist around Bath but you always know, when it comes to crunch time, they have a lethargic battering within them against a fellow top side.
Wealthy owner Bruce Craig will not accept consistent floundering but Bath have done just that for three seasons since their final appearance back in 2015. They’ve often shown glimpses of the side that featured at Twickenham and it’s hardly surprising with the likes of Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph to call upon.
If the two internationals can get back to their best, Bath can begin to ignite thoughts of ending their long trophy less drought. Jamie Roberts and his large frame arrive to bulk up the midfield alongside Joseph whilst Will Chudley brings Premiership winning experience.
Elsewhere Blackadder needs to turn a good squad into a good XV; combinations are key but the Bath boss must decide who he fancies at 9 and 10. In the pack he has some of England’s most exciting prospects in Zach Mercer, Sam Underhill and Charlie Ewels. The task now is utilising their obvious potential and bridging the gap to the Exeters and Saracens of this world.
Player to watch: Last year Sam Underhill produced a debut performance at Franklin’s Gardens that had England fans licking their lips. His physicality, love for the tackle and never ending engine makes him a dream for anyone playing alongside him in the back-row.
Injuries and concussion issues deprived him of a full season at full flight but if Bath can get his engine revving, the former Osprey could help provide a platform and more which allows their affluent backs to play.
BRISTOL BEARS
Director of Rugby: Pat Lam
Last season: Promoted from the Championship
Rarely has a team been promoted from the Championship and arrived to the party ready to make waves. But rarely has a team been financially backed like this and never has a promoted side convinced a player like All Black Charles Piutau to join them on one of the highest salaries worldwide.
That’s before you take into account the arrival of Wallaby George Smith and John Afoa from Gloucester. If your final year position was determined by the individuals at your club then Bristol would be top four material. We all know that isn’t the case but being coached by Pat Lam makes it not beyond the realms of possibility.
Realism suggests a steady top half finish and Champions Cup rugby for 2019 will be a solid first season back in the Premiership. Bristol can’t and shouldn’t expect too much too soon, but owner Steve Lansdowne is committed to turning Bristol into one of Europe’s rugby capitals.
The facilities at Ashton Gate are such that the Premiership’s opening night will be held in the West Country. Bristol’s assets both on and off the field are a means to an end not an end in itself. The time it takes to reach that end goal will be a lot clearer come May 2019.
Player to watch: You don’t invest seven figures a year in a player and expect him not to light up the world; so anticipate Charles Piutau doing just that. Since leaving New Zealand his spells in England with Wasps and then Ulster have elevated his profile.
Widely regarded as arguably the best New Zealander not playing in his native land, Piutau has been utilised anywhere from shirt 11-15 and with destructive results. His power, pace, handling and reading of the game put him among the game’s elite.
He cannot win games on his own for Bristol, but he can come pretty darn close. Coupled with the influx of stars alongside him Piutau could comfortably spearhead a Bristol attack that makes them seem very at home despite a year in the Championship.
EXETER CHIEFS
Director of Rugby: Rob Baxter
Last season: 1st (runners-up)
It was a third visit to Twickenham in as many years but Exeter did relinquish their crown to Saracens in somewhat underwhelming fashion after yet another year of progress.
2018 was a new experience for the Chiefs, they had to play under the weight of expectation – not that you’d know it. They wore their crown with conviction and topped the table for most of the season.
A European scalp over Montpellier in France legitimised yet more forward progress; and although they didn’t get beyond the group stages they wrestled with the continent’s elite. European champions Leinster were perhaps given their sternest test by Exeter over the Christmas period to underline the Chiefs metal.
Domestically they continue to thrive and it was a case of Saracens being excellent rather than Exeter being poor which saw them lose the final. Rob Baxter has continued his transitioning of individuals throughout the year – both Simmonds brothers have become stalwarts at Sandy Park. That takes on further significance given the departure of legend Thomas Waldrom. Welshman Alex Cuthbert arrives from the Cardiff Blues whilst Santiago Cordero makes his stay a long term one.
Having reached the summit in 2017 Exeter’s progress chart is far harder to gage; the remit will no doubt be continued inroads on the European scene because right now Baxter and company seem to have the domestic scene sussed out. Win the Premiership they may not, but the systems put in place by this outfit suit them perfectly and rarely does execution let them down.
Player to watch: The breakout star, or one of at least, in last year’s Premiership was Joe Simmonds. The fly-half was gently transitioned in to replace Gareth Steenson and by the end of the year was owning the Chiefs 10 shirt. A match winning boot against Bath was an example of this youngster’s maturity and calmness under pressure.
He understands perfectly his role in this well-oiled machine and alongside brother Sam looks one for the future and Sandy Park.
GLOUCESTER
Director of Rugby: David Humphreys
Last season: 7th
South African ambience continues to swirl and embed itself into the Kingsholm corridors. Johan Ackermann proved he is no one trick pony after success with the Lions transferred into the most successful Gloucester season since 2013.
Seventh was perhaps an unfair reflection on a year which saw them in play-off contention for most of it and even sit in the top four until the turn of the year. Major scalps over both Saracens and Exeter highlight Gloucester’s new found confidence.
The dynamic between Ackermann and director of rugby David Humphreys hit off instantly with the South African’s more hands on approach. Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert and Ruan Dreyer all arrive from Ellis Park whilst Matt Banahan swaps blue and white for cherry and white.
Danny Cipriani is the star attraction to arrive at Kingsholm this summer and his tempo will be a major weapon for Gloucester. A return to Europe’s top tier is long overdue but Gloucester have a coaching set-up and a squad to do more than just compete.
Player to watch: Eyes will be fixed on Danny Cipriani but it’s fellow summer recruit Jaco Kriel that could do some serious damage. Cipriani is a class act but it’s front foot quick ball that allows him to look his best. Kriel can be someone who provides just that.
His time with the Lions inevitably led to South African caps but injury has robbed him of a final season in Johannesburg. His fitness may be of slight concern but Ackermann knows how to get the best out of this back-row and when he is fit and firing he will challenge the league’s best in his position.
HARLEQUINS
Head of Rugby: Paul Gustard
Last season: 10th
It’s all change in the shadows of Twickenham; the Stoop welcomes a new man at the helm. John Kingston departed to little sorrow along with most of his coaching set-up; the man with the task of bettering a poor campaign is former Saracens and England defence coach Paul Gustard.
Taking the top role for the first time, if your wisdom is defined by those who imparted it to you then Gustard is a stellar choice. Mark McCall and Eddie Jones have tutored 42-year-old and winning environments have been a day-to-day theme.
He certainly has a job on his hands following a dismal 2018 thus far. The optimism though stems from the group of players he inherits. Underachieving is a tag easily slapped on the Stoop at present but Gustard will know the worth of Chris Robshaw, Danny Care, Kyle Sinckler and Mike Brown.
The young and energetic Marcus Smith remains a name on everyone’s lips and his apprentice status with England has him marked down as one for the future, but that future seems very present right now.
Player to watch: It’s a clean slate for plenty of the crop down at Quins but one man arriving with the cleanest of slates is new winger Nathan Earle. Crossing the circle of the M25 and heading down from St Albans, Earle will be keen to show his electric pace to the folk at the Stoop.
New coach Gustard will have worked with Earle during their time at Saracens. The 23-year-old is certainly raw but the talent is undeniable. Capped by England in an unofficial international he is certainly on the Jones radar and, despite England’s plethora of outstanding wide players, could well be knocking on that door very hard.
LEICESTER TIGERS
Head Coach: Matt O’Connor
Last season: 5th
No play-off rugby for the first time in what must seem like an eternity for the Tigers faithful last term. They don’t expect weekends off once the season closes but in 2017/18 they had to face that reality.
Disappointment must still loom around Welford Road following a season of promise that faded. Initial defeats to Bath and Northampton were put to bed by a six-game winning streak and Matt O’Connor’s side, buoyed by the return of George Ford at 10 and try marksman Jonny May, appeared the force of old.
Yet international time put pay to their star players and Leicester’s struggles began. Home defeats to Northampton and Newcastle ended their faint hopes of the top four. There’s no doubt that Leicester were anything but the sum of their parts and questions will seriously be asked if this group cannot find a winning formula this term.
The criticism is whether the Tigers were too affluent from shirts 9 to 15 but not powerful enough up front. Always renowned for such a ferocious scrum Leicester now look vulnerable. Guy Thompson crosses the divide to arrive from Wasps and David Denton comes in from Worcester. Not names to light up the world but solid and seasoned pros in the Premiership era; they could help bridge the gap that was far wider than Leicester would like to admit.
Player to watch: Your eyes are immediately drawn to the backs when you look at a Tigers XV with Ben Youngs, Ford, Toomua and May in full view. But it’s a man who does the unnoticed work that allows them to sparkle who deserves a mention. Sione Kalamafoni carried more than any other player in last year’s Premiership season, constantly giving Leicester a chance with go forward ball.
His performance at Twickenham especially thrust him into the limelight when Bath were downed in ‘The Clash’. The Tongan at times walked through the Bath defence like a one man wrecking ball determined to drag his side to victory.
NEWCASTLE FALCONS
Director of Rugby: Dean Richards
Last season: 4th
A repeat of last year will be the request on Tyneside. Vereniki Goneva’s Alan Shearer like celebration at St James’ Park last year showed that the Toon are taking to a sport other than football; and the popularity of the one off stadium move legitimised their popularity.
Billed by some as relegation candidates in September and by May they had upset the order. A disappointing semi-final defeat to Exeter didn’t serve as a fair reflection on a stellar season.
Goneva picked up the Premiership Player of the Year award whilst Josh Matevesi and Sinoti Sinoti enjoyed breakthrough seasons. Under Dean Richards Newcastle found a formula that worked; the task now is doing it again.
Unassuming yet efficient with a touch of class would sum up Newcastle in 2017/18. They won’t be so unassuming this term and heightened expectations burden some people’s shoulders. Richards though, with an illustrious CV, will be up to the task.
Player to watch: There’s a few at Kingston Park and the Falcons will consider it a victory that they all want to stick around for what’s next. Vereniki Goneva received plenty of plaudits but Sinoti Sinoti came into his own as the season continued. The Samoan winger didn’t match the figures of his fellow Pacific Islander but was equally effective coming off the alternative wing.
NORTHAMPTON
Director of Rugby: Chris Boyd
Last season: 9th
Northampton have gone from chalk to cheese in hiring Chris Boyd to fill Jim Mallinder’s post. Mallinder’s approach had yielded much success but the past few seasons have had the Saints in steady decline.
Boyd has done nothing but elevate a Hurricanes side in New Zealand that possessed talent without ever legitimising it. A Super Rugby title in 2016 ended their wait and Boyd did so by playing an exciting brand of rugby and blooding in young talent.
Franklin’s Gardens will hope the same occurs once he fully embeds himself from Wellington. Players will no doubt have to adapt to a more free flowing style with handling and dexterity a must. It’s hard to believe it will happen overnight given the nightmare endured last term but the foundations exist.
Dylan Hartley remains an immense leader, Courtney Lawes was a rare bright light, Dan Biggar brings stellar experience and it was in New Zealand that Piers Francis first caught the eye. Boyd will have to manage expectations as much as his squad during his first 12 months but his CV suggests glory could well be on the horizon again.
Player to watch: Playing for the Blues in Auckland earned Piers Francis England caps and convinced Northampton to bring him to the Premiership. Perhaps a victim of his own versatility but Francis has the skillset to succeed in a Kiwi environment. Don’t be surprised if Boyd pinpoints the utility back as pivotal to his plans moving forward and allows him a more settled position, whether that be at 10, 12 or 13.
SALE SHARKS
Director of Rugby: Steve Diamond
Last season: 8th
Frustratingly for folk at the AJ Bell Sale had their destiny in their own hands after a late Marland Yarde try saw them beat Wasps in the season’s final stretch, but defeats followed to Leicester and Newcastle which put an end to any post season involvement.
There’s no denying though this Sale outfit are improving year on year and their off season recruitment suggests their upward trajectory is set to continue. Chris Ashton splashes in from Toulon – following his suspension of course – with hopes of England recognition once again whilst Rohan Janse van Rensburg arrives from South Africa.
They will feature alongside Denny Solomona, Faf de Klerk, James O’Connor, AJ MacGinty and, well, you get the picture. The only question mark is whether their forward pack can offer the platform. Sale possess several fast improving individuals in that area but they appear perhaps a little back heavy.
Their home form will again be key but with the arrival of seasoned individuals Sale are acquiring big match experience, the kind of experience that Steve Diamond hopes will turn them from possibles to probables when it hits crunch time come May.
Player to watch: An impressive first season from Faf de Klerk saw him feature for South Africa this summer and, at times, he made a mockery of his slight frame, running England ragged.
Among the best scrum-halves in the country, De Klerk will be behind everything good Sale do this year and, even with the talent outside him, he is the main man for the Sharks.
SARACENS
Director of Rugby: Mark McCall
Last season: 2nd (Champions)
They might have sacrificed their European title but they wrestled back their domestic crown from an Exeter side who toppled them last year. Despite experiencing their worst run of form in the professional era during the autumn, Saracens proved their champion mentality by bouncing back and standing up during the big moments.
Their performance in the final at Twickenham made an excellent Exeter look average. Game management, clinical, adaptable and cynical when necessary; Saracens are England’s outstanding team and deserving of the crown.
The hunger doesn’t seem to have dwindled and the task this year will be repeating the double of two years ago. Hard to back against them when they boast so many international players, and this year they arrive far fresher than they did post Lions last term.
Owen Farrell continues to lead by example and the same could be said for the likes of Maro Itoje, Jamie George and Brad Barritt. The effervescent Schalk Brits finally called time on his playing days but his wisdom has well and truly been imparted to a group already accustomed to winning at such a young age.
Player to watch: Owen Farrell may be the name everyone knows but his understudy and now frequent inside centre Alex Lozowski continues to improve. His talents are such that Mark McCall found ways to accommodate the former Wasp into his line-up throughout the season.
As is the fashion nowadays, two 10s allows for a greater read on the game and Lozowski’s running lines have proved his versatility. His try against Wasps in the semi-final portrayed a man oozing passion, prowess and finesse. Usurping Farrell is close to an impossible task but you can’t deny any individual that good.
WASPS
Director of Rugby: Dai Young
Last season: 3rd
Wasps’ season in 2017/18 ultimately ended where it deserved to end: good but not quite good enough would be the assessment. A semi-final mauling to Saracens broadcasted the gap that still needs filling by the Coventry-based outfit.
An early-season blip left Dai Young’s side in recovery for much of the season but the amount of talent they possess always gave them the chance to bounce back. Willie le Roux especially shone, earning him a return to the South African side that beat England this summer.
Danny Cipriani’s form also earned him a call-up, but he and fellow international James Haskell were among some big names to depart the Ricoh following the end of their contracts. Wasps have gambled, it’s out with the English and in with the Kiwis, albeit one whom is converting to England.
Lima Sopoaga and Brad Shields arrive from New Zealand franchises in what look to be smart moves by the hierarchy, even if they did have to part with some talented individuals. Shields especially adds some serious talent to a forward pack sometimes unable to match the class in the backs division.
Both he and Sopoaga look able to seamlessly slot into Wasps’ free-flowing brand of rugby and the Ricoh is sure to be one of the more entertaining venues in the country. Wasps have had several years trying to slot the final jigsaw pieces together without success and after three straight play-off involvements the questions remains whether they can finally hit the summit.
Player to watch: Brad Shields arrives with big expectations but Lima Sopoaga does likewise, and has the boots of Cipriani to fill. The fly-half was sensational for much of last season and Wasps have gambled on the former Highlander exceeding those levels. Resigned to playing back-up to Beauden Barrett, Sopoaga has sacrificed All Black representation to prove he is among the globe’s elite 10s.
Much the same to predecessor Cipriani; Sopoaga plays with tempo, allows his outside backs like Christian Wade to cut excellent running lines and is mercurial. His goal-kicking percentage has always been a strength should he assume those duties from Jimmy Gopperth.
WORCESTER
Director of Rugby: Alan Solomons
Last season: 11th
It depends what Worcester side you get; the group who finished the season look ready to consolidate Premiership status with a mid-table finish, but the group who began the first seven rounds will be Championship bound.
There’s every reason to think that the momentum gained towards the latter end of last season will transition through the summer and into this campaign. Alan Solomons found a formula that worked and the emergence of Josh Adams was a huge plus in a season of forward momentum.
Ben Te’o continued to prove his worth in the midfield whilst Bryce Heem and Chris Pennell came up with valuable tries at big moments.
This Warriors outfit certainly has the aura of a team of the up, although Bristol’s arrival and heavy investment will once again make them among the favourites for the drop. That won’t rock them though and last year’s slow start will stand them in good stead should a repeat happen again.
Player to watch: Injury kept Francois Hougaard sidelined for a good chunk of last season but when Worcester experienced an upturn in form he was present: Diminutive in size but monstrous in influence.
The former South African 7s player has buckets of pace, an excellent eye to spot the gap or have a go himself. He signed for a further three years midway through last year and the Warriors will be thrilled he has decided to stick at Sixways.
Compatriot Francois Venter is also worth keeping an eye out for as he adds his bulk to Worcester this year. The former Cheetah has had a year of playing northern hemisphere rugby after his exploits in the PRO14 last year.
by Sam Meade