SUNSPORT’S rugby correspondent JONNY FORDHAM tip-tackles the ruckers and maulers in this season’s Premiership campaign that kicks-off on Friday night.
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BATH
Director of rugby: Todd Blackadder
Verdict: NEW boss Todd Blackadder only arrived two weeks ago and has a huge re-building job on his hands to pick up a squad who diced with relegation last year. Have to hit the ground running if they are to challenge the top-four.
Key man: George Ford – England fly-half was off-form for his club last season and all their hopes once again rest on his shoulders.
Big-name signing: Taulupe Faletau from Newport Gwent Dragons
Last season: 9th
Prediction: 6th
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BRISTOL
Director of rugby: Andy Robinson
Verdict: HOME form will be crucial for the new-boys who share 27,000 Ashton Gate with Bristol City. If they can make the Premiership’s second-biggest ground into a fortress, then they might just have a chance of survival.
Key man: Jordan Crane – Bristol will hope the former Tigers back-row can be their rock
Big-name signing: Jordan Crane from Leicester Tigers
Last season: Promoted from the Championship
Prediction: 12th – relegated
EXETER CHIEFS
Head coach: Rob Baxter
Verdict: THEY might not have the global superstars that Wasps boast, but Exeter’s backline is just as exciting. Rammed full of young English talent the Chiefs will look to entertain as they continue to grow.
Key man: Henry Slade – Huge year for the fit-again England protege who is the Premiership’s classiest play-maker
Big-name signing: Ollie Devoto from Bath
Last season: 2nd and runners-up
Prediction: 3rd
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GLOUCESTER
Director of rugby: David Humphreys
Verdict: INJURIES ruined last season for Gloucester. The top-four won’t be within their reach so they will have to hope they can make the most of the mid-table battle.
Key man: Greg Laidlaw – Scotland captain makes this team tick and his points from the tee will again be crucial
Big-name signing: Matt Scott from Edinburgh
Last season: 8th
Prediction: 9th
HARLEQUINS
Director of rugby: John Kingston
Verdict: RUNNERS-UP in the Challenge Cup, but another limp year in the Premiership and you worry how they will keep hold of their England stars. Could do with Jamie Roberts making the impact everyone expected him to do last year.
Key man: Chris Robshaw – Quins fans will be hoping his Red Rose revival will inspire his Stoop teammates
Big-name signing: Ruaridh Jackson from Wasps
Last season: 7th
Prediction: 7th
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LEICESTER TIGERS
Director of rugby: Richard Cockerill
Verdict: ACROSS the city Tigers took inspiration from the Foxes – but it will be at Welford Road where there is the biggest chance of silverware this year. Boss Richard Cockerill has made some impressive signings too add to a decent squad.
Key man: Manu Tuilagi – If the England centre stays fit then Tigers can demolish their rivals
Big-name signing: Matt Toomua from Brumbies
Last season: 4th
Prediction: 2nd
NEWCASTLE FALCONS
Director of rugby: Dean Richards
Verdict: SAVED by Andy Goode last season after dragging him out of retirement, Newcastle will hope Fiji winger Vereniki Goneva scores them to safety this season in a lethal back-three with Olympics silver medalist Marcus Watson and Sinoti Sinoti.
Key man: Nili Latu – The Tonga captain will be looking to make up for lost time when back from a knee injury in December
Big-name signing: Vereniki Goneva from Leicester Tigers
Last season: 11th
Prediction: 11th
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NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Director of rugby: Jim Mallinder
Verdict: COULDN’T finish their dinner last year and some home truths must have hit home this summer. Their leaders like Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes and Tom Wood will drive the team as they look to make up for missing the play-offs.
Key man: George North – Wales and Lions winger has to fire for the Saints after flopping last season.
Big-name signing: Louis Picamoles from Toulouse
Last season: 5th
Prediction: 5th
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SALE SHARKS
Director of rugby: Steve Diamond
Verdict: TOUGH to beat on their own patch, but the loss of fly-half Danny Cipriani could really hurt the Sharks. Skipper Josh Beaumont is young, but mature enough to lead the side.
Key man: Mike Haley – Exciting full-back made it into Eddie Jones’ last England squad so expect him to kick on again.
Big-name signing: Josh Charnley from Wigan Rugby League
Last season: 6th
Prediction: 8th
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SARACENS
Director of rugby: Mark McCall
Verdict: RUTHLESS and dogged – Saracens don’t care what rival fans say about them when they’re cleaning their trophy cabinet. A settled side and squad at Allianz Park – they will again take some beating this season.
Key man: Owen Farrell – The England points machine is everything this side stands for
Big-name signing: Schalk Burger from Stormers
Last season: 1st and champions
Prediction: 1st and champions
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WASPS
Director of rugby: Dai Young
Verdict: THEY didn’t mess about when it came to signings this summer as Dai Young splashed the cash on backline super-stars. Sadly they won’t have injured Kurtley Beale and Willie Le Roux available for a while. Need to be tougher in defence.
Key man: James Haskell – Revived Red rose rucker will have to takeover the role of the formidable George Smith
Big-name signing: Kurtley Beale from New South Wales Waratahs
Last season: 3rd
Prediction: 4th
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WORCESTER WARRIORS
Director of rugby: Carl Hogg
Verdict: A STRANGE summer after boss Dean Ryan quit out of the blue. They put all their eggs in Ben Te’o’s basket and will be looking for the England hopeful to lead their fight against relegation. And it should work, just.
Key man: Ben Te’o – The marque signing will be their midfield powerhouse
Big-name signing: Ben Te’o from Leinster
Last season: 10th
Prediction: 10th
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