Thank you to our friends at Planet Rugby, here is a preview of the 2011/2012 season and predictions. Compiled by Adam Kyriacou
Saturday sees the return of Aviva Premiership rugby and under the shadow of the World Cup, teams will be stretched during the early-term.
Reigning champions Saracens will be in no mood to take a backward step during 2011/12following their taking of the crown off Leicester. However, the Tigers do not take kindly to being poked and we expect them to be right back in the play-off mix. Phew that seems a long way off.
Others likely to be in the shake-up are Gloucester, who returned to something like the form they are known for late last season, and Northampton.
New-boys Worcester may struggle but ultimately survive with that trapdoor taking Newcastle, who let's face it, have flirted with the drop for too long.
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SARACENS
Now have the squad and ethos to back up their triumph of last season. What might help them during the early stages is their surprising lack of absentees due to the RWC so we expect them to be challenging again. Their big dilemma is whether to play Owen Farrell or Charlie Hodgson at fly-half. Nice dilemma to have for Director of Rugby Mark McCall.
Sky Bet odds: 3/1
Last season: 2nd (champions)
Prediction: 1st
In: Mako Vunipola (Bristol), John Smit (Sharks), Charlie Hodgson (Sale Sharks), Joe Maddock (Benetton Treviso), Marcus Watson (London Irish), Nemia Kenatale (Tailevu).
Out: Ethienne Reynecke (Connacht), Richard Skuse (Retired), Matt Parr (Nottingham), Alex Brown (Doncaster), Tom Ryder (Glasgow), Don Barrell (Retired), Kevin Barrett (Exeter Chiefs), Noah Cato (Northampton Saints), Henry Staff (Bedford).
LEICESTER:
We have a strong feeling that Welford Road could be the making of Mathew Tait. Tigers will improve his game and having Geordan Murphy as his mentor will help a great deal. They have not lost any key personnel over the off-season - barring their many World Cup absentees - so expect Leicester to be going toe-to-toe with Saracens until the very end.
Sky Bet odds: 7/4
Last season: 1st (Beaten play-off finalists)
Prediction: 2nd
In: Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons), Graham Kitchener (Worcester Warriors), Julian Salvi (ACT Brumbies), Micky Young (Newcastle Falcons), Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks), Richard de Carpentier (UWIC), Tom Youngs (Nottingham), Niall Morris (Leinster).
Out: Joe Duffey (Nottingham), Dave Markham (Gloucester), Dan Hemingway (Leeds Carnegie), Lucas Amorosino (Montpellier), Matt Everard (Bedford), Will Hurrell (London Welsh).
GLOUCESTER:
Standing by Bryan Redpath has proved a stroke of genius from the Cherry and Whites as their form towards the end of 2010/11 won them many admirers. Wing Charlie Sharples was one man in serious form and was unfortunate to miss out on England's 30. But their loss is Gloucester's gain, expect both him and his team to kick on in all competitions.
Sky Bet odds: 9/1
Last season: 3rd
Prediction: 3rd
In: Dan Murphy (London Irish), Matias Cortese (Pampas XV), Nathan Charles (Western Force), Dario Chistolini (Petarca Rugby), Dave Markham (Leicester Tigers), Tom Savage (Hartpury), Nick Runciman (London Welsh).
Out: Alasdair Dickinson (Sale Sharks), Olivier Azam (Toulon), Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton Saints), Pierre Capdevielle (released), Dave Attwood (Bath), Jordi Pasqualin (Newcastle Falcons), Nicky Robinson (London Wasps), Dan Williams (Colomiers).
NORTHAMPTON:
Saints will miss the likes of Courtney Lawes, Dylan Hartley, Ben Foden and Chris Ashton during the World Cup period and so will expect the likes of Paul Diggin and Noah Cato to fill in strongly. If they can stay in the mix until their big names return, then they will feature.
Sky Bet odds: 4/1
Last season: 4th
Prediction: 4th
In: Paul Doran-Jones (Gloucester), Samu Manoa (San Francisco Golden Gate RFC), James Craig (Leeds Carnegie), Martin Roberts (Scarlets), Ryan Lamb (London Irish), Tom May (Toulon), George Pisi (Clermont Auvergne), Noah Cato (Saracens), Vasili Artemiev (VVA-Podmoskovye Monino), Cesar Sempere (Nottingham).
Out: Regardt Dreyer (released), Dan Sanderson (Moseley), Mark Easter (Sale Sharks), Shane Geraghty (Brive), Joe Ford (Leeds Carnegie), Joe Ansbro (London Irish), Matt Cornwell (Mogliano), Bruce Reihana (Bordeaux), Ryan Powell (retired), Dan Vickerman (Waratahs).
BATH:
Savvy signings have been made at the Recreation Ground ahead of 2011/12 and Francois Louw, Dan Hipkiss and Kyle Eastmond are set to be crowd favourites. However, sizeable voids needed filling due to big-name exits and it could be too much to ask of the new men.
Sky Bet odds: 7/1
Last season: 5th
Prediction: 5th
In: Charlie Beech (London Wasps), Anthony Perenise (Hurricanes), Dave Attwood (Gloucester), Ryan Caldwell (Ulster), Carl Fearns (Sale Sharks), Francois Louw (Stormers), Stephen Donald (Chiefs), Kyle Eastmond (St Helens RL), Dan Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers).
Out: David Barnes (Retired), Danny Grewcock (Retired), Peter Short (Exeter Chiefs), Luke Watson (Southern Kings), Butch James (Lions), Shontayne Hape (London Irish), Jacques Bousugge (Brive).
LONDON IRISH:
It is hard to spin how their new arrivals eclipse what has left during the off-season. Only Daniel Bowden remains from the main four faces who shared 10, 12 and 13 last year as Ryan Lamb, Seilala Mapusua and Elvis Seveali'i move on to pastures new. Mid-table.
Sky Bet odds: 25/1
Last season: 6th
Prediction: 9th
In: Leo Halavatau (Birmingham & Solihull), Bryn Evans (Hurricanes), James Sandford (Rotherham Titans), Edward Siggery (Scarlets), Ross Samson (Edinburgh), Adrian Jarvis (Leeds Carnegie), Steven Shingler (Scarlets), Shontayne Hape (Bath), Jonathan Spratt (Ospreys), Joe Ansbro (Northampton Saints), Jebb Sinclair (The Rock), Alex Gray (Newcastle), Tom Alexander (Eastwood).
Out: Dan Murphy (Gloucester), George Stowers (Ospreys), Steffon Armitage (Toulon), Ryan Lamb (Northampton Saints), Seilala Mapasua (Kubota Spears), Chris Malone (retiring), Ben Stevenson (London Welsh), James Tideswell (London Welsh), Jon Fisher (Bedford Blues), Elvis Seveali'i (Bourgoin), James Lennard (Bedford Blues).
HARLEQUINS:
Nick Easter, Ugo Monye, Maurie Fa'asavalu, James Johnston and Tomas Vallejos will all be at the World Cup while Danny Care and Ollie Smith are currently injured, meaning Quins will be tested early on. Chris Robshaw will be key but we can't see them challenging.
Sky Bet odds: 12/1
Last season: 7th
Prediction: 10th
In: Nic Mayhew (North Harbour), Tim Fairbrother (Western Force), Richard Bolt (Bristol), Matt Hopper (Cornish Pirates).
Out: Tom Cheeseman (Esher), Ceri Jones (Worcester Warriors), John Andress (Exeter Chiefs), James Percival (Worcester Warriors), Lewis Stevenson (Ulster), Dave Moore (Connacht), Gonzalo Camacho (Exeter Chiefs).
EXETER:
Odds of 150/1 seem rather high for the Chiefs, who look like a side that is only going to get stronger. They have brought in a couple of capable props in John Andress and Craig Mitchell while Peter Short will add grit. One risk is that sides may have figured them out.
Sky Bet odds: 150/1
Last season: 8th
Prediction: 7th
In: Craig Mitchell (Ospreys), John Andress (Harlequins), Peter Short (Bath), Aly Muldowney (Glasgow), Ben White (Cardiff Blues), Kevin Barrett (Saracens), Myles Dorrian (Bedord Blues), Josh Tatupu (Castres), Gonzalo Camacho (Harlequins).
Out: Eoghan Grace (Connacht), Ryan Davis (London Wasps), Josh Matavesi (Racing Metro), Nemani Nadolo (Green Rockets), Jack Andrew (Plymouth, Andrew Higgins (England Sevens), Ruaidhri Murphy (Easts Tigers), Garrick Cowley (released), Andy Miller (retiring), Ignacio Elosu (released), Dave Gannon (released), Paul McKenzie (released).
WASPS:
There will be a new air of optimism this year thanks to the arrival of David Young. The club have also signed up Steve Thompson, Marco Wentzel and Nicky Robinson so they have established players who shouldn't let the side down. Losing captain Tom Rees to injury and number eight Dan Ward-Smith due to recent retirement will hurt their aspirations though.
Sky Bet odds: 20/1
Last season: 9th
Prediction: 8th
In: Steve Thompson (Leeds Carnegie), Jerome Castex (Narbonne), Arden Perrot (Wellington), Guillermo Roan (La Plata), Ross Filipo (Bayonne), Marco Wentzel (Leeds Carnegie), Jonathan Poff (Crusaders), Nicky Robinson (Gloucester), Ryan Davis (Exeter Chiefs), Chris Bell (Sale Sharks), Chris Mayor (Parma), Alex Cheesman (Oxford Uni), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais), Simon McIntyre (Sale Sharks), Lewis Thiede (Doncaster), Matt Everard (Leicester), James Harris (Dragons).
Out: Charlie Beech (Bath), Joe Ward (Sale Sharks), Jason Hobson (Bristol
, Serge Betsen (released), Andy Powell (Sale), Dave Walder (Mitsubishi Dynaboars), Steve Kefu (Bay of Plenty), Ben Jacobs (Kyuden Voltex), Mark van Gisbergen (Lyon), Tom French (Barking), Josh Lewsey (retiring), Seb Jewell (London Welsh), Michael Mayhew (North Harbour), Marty Veale (Northland), Will Matthews (released), Shaun Ruwers (Waterloo), David Lemi (released), Dan Ward-Smith (retired).
SALE:
The busiest of the twelve teams in England's top flight could be a surprise package this season. They have brought in a completely different back-row in the shape of Hendre Fourie, Andy Powell and Kearnan Myall, with Scotland's Richie Vernon also a good player.
Sky Bet odds: 66/1
Last season: 10th
Prediction: 6th
In: Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Joe Ward (London Wasps), Tony Buckley (Munster), Vadim Cobalas (VVA-Podmoskovye Monino), Andrei Ostrikov (Aurillac), Fraser McKenzie (Glasgow), Kearnan Myall (Leeds), Hendre Fourie (Leeds), Andy Powell (Wasps), Richie Vernon (Glasgow), Mark Easter (Northampton), Scott Mathie (Leeds), Tasesa Lavea (Clermont), Sam Tuitupou (Munster), Luther Burrell (Leeds), Charlie Amesbury (Newcastle Falcons), Joaquin Tuculet (Club de Rugby Los Tilos), Johnny Leota (Manawatu).
Out: Eifion Lewis-Roberts (Toulon), Jack Forster (released), Simon McIntyre (London Wasps), Nic Rouse (Nottingham), Sean Cox (Edinburgh), Chris Jones (Worcester Warriors), Carl Fearns (Bath), Kristian Ormsby (released), Neil McMillan (released), Sisa Koyamaibole (Lyon), Chris Brightwell (England Sevens), Asaeli Boko (Nadroga), Charlie Hodgson (Saracens), Matty James (released), Ben Cohen (retired), Andy Tuilagi, Chris Bell (London Wasps), Mathew Tait (Leicester Tigers), Jonny Kennedy (retired), Rhys Crane (released), Fergus Mulchrone (released), Selorm Kuadey (released), Paul Williams (Stade Francais), Karena Wihongi (Castres), Chris Leck (Edinburgh).
NEWCASTLE:
As mentioned, for too long the Falcons have been circling the drain and we feel this season could be their year to join English rugby's second tier. They have lost Brent Wilson, Tane Tu'ipulotu and Micky Young and not replaced them with the same standard. A long season.
Sky Bet odds: 250/1
Last season: 11th
Prediction: 12th
In: Dan Frazier (Doncaster Knights), Ashley Wells (Griquas), Richard Boyle (Tynedale), Josh Beaumont (Fylde), Richard Mayhew (Esher), Jordi Pasqualin (Gloucester), Will Chudley (Bedford Blues), Ricki Sherriffe (RL), Ryan Shortland (Otago), Joe Robinson (Tynedale), Jamie Helleur (Auckland), Taiasina Tu'ifua (Counties Manukau), Greg Goosen (La Rochelle).
Out: Kieran Brookes (Leicester Tigers), Filipo Levi (Tasman), Micky Young (Leicester Tigers), Tane Tu'ipulotu (Yamaha Jubilo), Rob Vickerman (England Sevens), Gcobani Bobo (released), Charlie Amesbury (Sale Sharks), Hall Charlton (Blaydon), Alex Gray (London Irish), Micky Ward (Blaydon), Danny Williams (Salford RL), Ed Williamson (retiring), Brent Wilson (North Harbour), Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Hutchesons Aloysians), Josh Afu (Carcassone), Tim Ryan (Cavalieri Prato).
WORCESTER:
At the first time of asking, the Warriors are back in the big time this season and will be looking to follow Exeter's lead in staying up for 2012/13. Shrewd signings have been made in the shape of experienced duo Ceri and Chris Jones while Shaun Perry adds solidity.
Sky Bet odds: 150/1
Last season: Championship champions
Prediction: 11th
In: Ceri Jones (Harlequins), George Porter (Plymouth Albion), Ollie Hayes (Bristol), James Percival (Harlequins), Ben Gulliver (Cornish Pirates), Chris Jones (Sale Sharks), Shaun Perry (Brive), Errie Claasens (London Welsh), Danny Gray (Montauban), Sione Tu'ipulotu (Plymouth Albion), Josh Drauniniu (London Welsh), Sam Betty (Cornish Pirates), Ravai Fatiaki (Tailevu).
Out: Adam Black (Retired), James Collins (free agent), Callum Black (Ulster), Greg Rawlinson (retired), Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers), Louis Silver (Bristol), Will Bowley (Toyota Shokki), Greg King (Moseley), Oriol Ripol (retired), Willie Walker (North Harbour), Andy Williams (retired), Rob Higgitt (retired), Pat Sanderson (retired).
By Adam Kyriacou
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