Ollie Phillips’ Premiership preview: Saracens still the side to beat but Gloucester and Leicester are on the rise
The Premiership kicks off tomorrow evening when new boys Bristol take on west country rivals Bath and I’m excited as ever for a new campaign.
While it’s Bristol getting things under way, it is likely to be Saracens and Exeter who duke it out at the top of the table again.
Last season’s champions Saracens have won three of the last four titles and look strong again.
Schalk Brits and Chris Wyles are big losses to retirement, while the departure of Nathan Earle to Harlequins due to lack of game time is a blow.
But they’ve still got a brilliant squad and have added to it as well. Alex Lewington from London Irish is an astute signing and David Strettle returning from Clermont is huge – his finishing ability and familiarity with the club means he should step straight in.
They will need all their squad depth because Marcelo Bosch is injured and when the Six Nations comes around they’ll lose the likes of Sean Maitland, Liam Williams, Owen Farrell, the Vunipola brothers and more.
David Strettle returning to Saracens is a boost for the defending champions (Source: Getty)
I fancy them for a fifth title because of their culture and squad depth, but I do think they’re going to be pushed hard.
The most obvious threat comes from last season’s beaten finalists Exeter, who have proven their status in the last few campaigns.
Getting to the top was no easy feat, but staying there is going to be tough for Rob Baxter.
For the Chiefs it’s crucial they keep their team ethos as they’ve lost personalities in Kai Horstmann, Julian Salvi, Thomas Waldrom and Will Chudley.
Alex Cuthbert is their only new face from Cardiff Blues – he fits their style of play perfectly and is quick and strong. But I question whether Exeter have the squad depth to make the final again.
They have an excellent academy with young players coming through, but I think they have a fight on their hands to stay in the top four, with the lack of new signings potentially hurting later in the season.
Wales winger Alex Cuthbert joined Exeter Chiefs from Cardiff Blues in the off-season (Source: Getty)
Wasps finished third last campaign, but there could be somewhat of an identity crisis for Dai Young now.
There’s been a huge turnover of players at the club. They have the talent; Young will have to try and mould it together as quick as possible now.
Kieran Brookes, Nizaam Carr, Charlie Matthews, Zurab Zhvania, Brad Shields and Ambrose Curtis are all exciting signings on paper.
But I think Wasps might struggle with the creativity in the middle of the park. They were banking on Jimmy Gopperth, but he’s out long-term with an ACL injury, which lumps a lot of responsibility on new signing Lima Sopoaga because the side looked rudderless without Gopperth and Danny Cipriani last season.
Haskell, Cipriani and Guy Thompson leaving changes their dynamic, meaning they are the most interesting but hard to call side in the division.
Newcastle achieved their best finish in two decades last time out in fourth and will be struggling to follow such an achievement this time.
Jimmy Gopperth's long-term injury is a major blow to Wasps' chances (Source: Getty)
Dean Richards is one of the best coaches in the Premiership but with Rob Vickers, Scott Lawson and Ally Hogg all retiring I can’t see them doing it again.
A team who could take their place is Gloucester, who are the side to watch this year. Johan Ackermann can have them pushing the top four this season.
The signing of Cipriani came with some acrimony following his arrest in Jersey, but I think that could work in their favour. He’s got a point to prove: he needs to keep a low profile and be world-class on the field if he wants a sniff of getting back into the England side.
Meanwhile, Matt Banahan is one of the best signings from Bath and Franco Mostert and Jako Kriel will add a lot to their scrum and when carrying the ball.
Similarly, I’m tipping Leicester to reach the top four this year and bring back the Tigers of old.
Matt Banahan has swapped Bath for rivals Gloucester (Source: Getty)
They have an unbelievable academy and have made some brilliant signings in Thompson, Dave Denton and Kyle Eastmond, who can start again after difficulties with injuries at Wasps.
Northampton are another upwardly mobile side who I think we’re going to see a different performance from this season. I still don’t see them breaking into the top four, but an improvement on ninth is a must.
Dan Biggar is class and an upgrade on Stephen Myler at fly-half, while Haskell has a point to prove, Ben Franks is a seasoned international and Taqele Naiyaravoro has the potential to be devastating.
Harlequins can challenge in the top six under Paul Gustard.
Paul Gustard left his role as England's defence coach to take over at Harlequins (Source: Getty)
They got stuck in a rut under John Kingston, but Gustard’s discipline, exciting youngsters and England players needing to step up in a World Cup year can help them.
Below those sides I think Bath are in for a frustrating time, with Banahan gone, Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson injured and Jamie Roberts not the player he once was.
Steve Diamond is doing a fantastic job with Sale, whose signing of Chris Ashton is an eye-catcher, but delayed by a seven-week ban, and I can’t see them moving up.
Finally I think Worcester are going to be looking over their shoulders at newly-promoted Bristol at the bottom.
Worcester’s potent wingers Josh Adams and Bryce Heem give them a chance, but Pat Lam’s work in taking Connacht from mediocrity to the Pro12 title shows Bristol shouldn’t be underestimated.