Aviva Premiership rugby season preview

Verdict A huge battle at 10 between Tom Heathcote, Henson and Ford, but

it still does not look enough to  break into the top four.

————————————–

Exeter Chiefs

Last season 6th
Predicted finish: 6th

In Dave Lewis (Gloucester), Tom James, Ceri Sweeney (both Cardiff

Blues), Fetu’u Vainikolo (Connacht), Don Armand (Stormers), Romana Graham

(Chiefs), Greg Bateman (London Welsh).

Out Aly Muldowney (Connacht), Nic Sestaret (Nottingham), Junior

Poluleuligaga (Auckland Blues), Ignacio Mieres (Worcester), Miles Dorrian

(London Irish), Watisoni Votu Perpignan), Neil Clark (Oyonnax), Gonzalo

Camacho (Leicester), Mark Foster (Jersey), Josh Tatupu (Carcassone), Kevin

Barrett, Chris Budgen, Richard Baxter, Simon Alcott (all retired).

Key man Fijian centre Sireli Naqelevuki, a human wrecking ball, who is

so important to Exeter’s physical game.

Verdict No big names but, in Rob Baxter, Exeter have probably the

canniest coach in the business and will trouble everyone again, especially

at home.

————————————–

Gloucester

Last season 5th Predicted finish 5th

In Matt Kvesic (Worcester), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), James Hudson

(Newcastle), Dan George (London Welsh), Tom Hicks (Northampton), Jonny

Bentley (Cornish Pirates).

Out Jim Hamilton (Montpellier), Dave Lewis (Exeter), Dario Chistolini

(Zebre), Peter Buxton, Alex Brown (both retired), Tommasso D’Apice, Drew

Locke, Brad Field (all unattached).

Key man Ben Morgan. One of the best carriers around and can give

Freddie Burns et al the forward ball required.

Verdict Big question is whether they can cope up front. Kvesic is a

great buy.

————————————–

Harlequins

Last season 3rd Predicted finish 4th

In Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton), Nick Kennedy (Toulon), Paul Sackey

(Stade Français).

Out James Johnston (Saracens), Seb Stegmann, Peter Browne (both London

Welsh), Rory Clegg (Newcastle), Miles Mantella (London Scottish), Chris

Brooker (Worcester), Olly Kohn, Will Skinner (both retired), Henry Taylor,

Tim Fairbrother (unattached).

Key man Chris Robshaw. The tide appears to be turning against him,

England captain or not. How will he react?

Verdict Harlequins will doubtless be challengers again but the loss of

prop James Johnston is a significant blow to the club. Time for Mike Brown,

Danny Care and Joe Marler to kick on.

————————————–

Leicester Tigers

Last season 1st Predicted finish: 2nd

In David Mele, Jerome Schuster (both Perpignan), Neil Briggs, Tom

Bristow (both London Welsh), Sebastian de Chaves (Mont-de-Marsan), Jamie

Gibson (London Irish), Ryan Lamb (Northampton), Owen Williams (Scarlets),

Gonzalo Camacho (Exeter).

Out Martin Castrogiovanni (Toulon), Alex Lewington (London Irish),

Jonny Harris, Jimmy Stevens, Pat Phibbs (all London Irish), Keiran Brookes

(Newcastle), George Ford, Micky Young (both Bath), Andy Forsyth (Sale), Andy

Symons (Tasman), Charlie Clare (Bedford), Camilo Parilli-Ocampo (Ealing),

Richard Thorpe (London Welsh), Ben Woods, Geordan Murphy (both retired),

Matt Cornwell (Mogliano), Brett Deacon, George Oliver (both unattached).

Key man Lock Geoff Parling. Epitomises Leicester’s mantra:

hard-working, grounded but wonderfully effective.

Verdict Look incredibly strong again. Watch out for lock Ed Slater and

Mathew Tait’s continued resurgence.

————————————–

London Irish

Last season 9th Predicted finish 12th

In Alex Lewington, Jonny Harris, Jimmy Stevens, Pat Phibbs (all

Leicester) Blair Cowan (Worcester), Andrew Fenby (Scarlets), Jamie Hagan

(Leinster), Eamonn Sheridan, Fergus Mulchrone (both  Rotherham), Michael

Mayhew (Newcastle), Miles Dorrian (Exeter), Matt Parr, Nic Rouse (both

Nottingham), John Yapp (Edinburgh).

Out Alex Corbisiero (Northampton), Jonathan Joseph, Matt Garvey, David

Sisi, Anthony Watson (all Bath), Jamie Gibson (Leicester), Steve Shingler

(Scarlets), Max Lahiff (Melbourne Rebels), Jack Moates (Wasps), Jerry

Yanuyanutawa (Glasgow), James Buckland (London Scottish), Scott Lawson

(Newcastle), James Sandford (Cornish Pirates), Joe Ansbro (retired).

Key man Marland Yarde. The wing was capped in Argentina and is sure to

feature again but will he receive enough ball?

Verdict Director of rugby Brian Smith says: “We won’t be a team full of

rock stars but we intend to be one hell of a team.” It means they will

struggle.

————————————–

Newcastle Falcons

Last season Promoted Predicted finish 11th

In Andy Saull, Adam Powell (both Saracens), Mike Blair (Brive), Keiran

Brookes (Leicester), Rory Clegg (Harlequins), Scott Lawson (London Irish),

Fraser McKenzie (Sale), Phil Godman (London Scottish), Franck Montanella

(London Welsh), Danny Barnes (Munster), Noah Cato (Northampton) Dominic

Barrow (Leeds Carnegie).

Out Jimmy Gopperth (Leinster), James Hudson (Gloucester), Luke Fielden

(England Sevens), James Hall (Bristol), Michael Mayhew (London Irish),

Taiasina Tu’ifua (Bordeaux), Ollie Stedman, Jordi Pasqualin (London

Scottish), James Goode (Neath), Rory Lawson, Jon Golding (both retired).

Key man Mike Blair. Newcastle will need all his experience in game

management. A good signing.

Verdict The returning Dean Richards is the story but the reality is a

grim battle for survival. Watch out for Andy Saull, a fine genuine open

side.

————————————–

Northampton Saints

Last season 4th (losing finalists) Predicted finish 3rd

In Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Salesi Ma’afu (Western Force), Kahn

Fotuali’i (Ospreys), Glenn Dickson, Rob Verbakel (both Otago), George North

(Scarlets), Gareth Denman (Rotherham).

Out Soane Tonga’uiha, Brian Mujati (both Racing Metro), Mark Sorenson

(Bristol), Ryan Lamb (Leicester), Martin Roberts (Bath), Tom May (London

Welsh), Scott Armstrong, (Moseley), Paul Doran-Jones (Harlequins), Tom Hicks

(Gloucester), Noah Cato (Newcastle), Rhys Oakley (Plymouth Albion).

Key man Tom Wood. Excellent forward in any back-row position. Might be

England captain full-time.

Verdict Big signings in North and Corbisiero, and big call on Dylan

Hartley as captain. Fly-half remains a worry.

————————————–

Sale Sharks

Last season 10th Predicted finish 9th

In Tom Arscott, Phil  Mackenzie, Kirill  Kulemin, Jonathan Mills (all

London Welsh) Charlie Walker-Blair (Jersey), Andy Forsyth (Leicester), Dan

Baines (Rotherham), Joe Ford (Leeds), Michael Paterson (Cardiff Blues).

Out Kearnan Myall (Wasps), Richie Vernon (Glasgow), Charlie Amesbury

(Bristol), Andy Powell (Wigan RL), Fraser McKenzie (Newcastle Falcons),

Richie Gray (Castres), Jordan Davies (Salford City Reds RL), Alasdair

Dickinson (Edinburgh), Lee Imiolek (Leeds).

Key man Sam Tuitupou. A wonderfully abrasive centre who appeared to be

playing on his own at times last season.

Verdict Some clever acquisitions from relegated London Welsh and some

stability at last, but Sale still look short on quality.

————————————–

Saracens

Last season 1st Predicted finish 1st

In James Johnston (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Wasps), Marcelo Bosch

(Biarritz), Tim Streather (Nottingham), Michael Tagicakibau (Bristol),

Richard Barrington (Jersey).

Out Adam Powell, Andy Saull (both Newcastle), Carlos Nieto, Joe

Maddock, John Smit (all retired), Kameli Ratuvou (Zebre).

Key man Brad Barritt. Strange choice? He’s their defensive leader and

on that rock is their play founded.

Verdict Johnston and Vunipola are tremendous signings, and they look

powerful at every point. Owen Farrell will be better for his Lions

experience.

————————————–

London Wasps

Last season 8th Predicted finish 8th

In Matt Mullan, Joe Carlisle, Andy Goode (all Worcester), Kearnan Myall

(Sale), Jack Moates (London Irish), Nathan Hughes (Auckland), Rory Pitman (

Rotherham), Jake Cooper-Woolley (Cardiff), Josh Bassett, Neil Cochrane,

Ricky Reeves (all Bedford), Ed Jackson (London Welsh), Guy Thompson

(Jersey), Taione Vea (Tonga) and William Helu (N Harbour), Esteban Lozada

(Agen), Ben Jacobs (W Force).

Out Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Jack Wallace, Nicky Robinson (both

Bristol), Sakaria Taulafo (Stade Francais), Stephen Jones, Tim Payne, Lee

Thomas, Nic Berry (all retired), T Rhys Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons),

Chris Mayor, Jonathan Poff, Lewis Thiede, Alex Rae, Stuart Commins, Tinus du

Plessis, Lorenzo Romano (all unattached), Marco Wentzel (Sharks).

Key man England lock Joe Launchbury. Will need to oust Geoff Parling

for his England place. Wasps could benefit.

Verdict They will excite, but do not have enough clout to trouble the

big boys.

————————————–

Worcester Warriors

Last season 11th Predicted finish 10th

In Agustin Creevy (Montpellier), Leonardo Senatore (Pampas XV), Ignacio

Mieres (Exeter), Jeremy Bécasseau, Paul Warwick (both Stade Français), Paul

Andrew (Cornish Pirates), Ofa Fainga’anuku (Glasgow), Cameron Goodhue

(Auckland), Mike Williams (Blue Bulls), James Stephenson (Bedford Blues),

Chris Brooker (Harlequins), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Jeremy Bécasseau

(Stade Français), Jeremy Su’a (Crusaders).

Out Matt Kvesic (Gloucester), Joe Carlisle, Andy Goode, Matt Mullan

(all Wasps), Andy Short, Ollie Hayes, Errie Claassens (all Bristol), Blair

Cowan (London Irish), Nikki Walker, Aleki Lutui (both Edinburgh), Ollie

Hayes (Bristol), Craig Gillies, Shaun Perry, Tevita Taumoepeau (all

retired).

Key man Wales’s Jonathan Thomas. Appointed captain and will be an

important rallying point.

Verdict The return of Dean Ryan’s sharp rugby brain to the Premiership

can only be a boon, but this will be a long-term challenge for him.

Aviva Premiership rugby season preview