A new Gallagher Prem season is upon us as the nine other sides look to knock Northampton off their perch.
The Saints pipped Exeter in a thrilling final in June to claim their second title in three seasons, and look strongly placed to challenge again.
Bath will bid to bounce back from semi-final disappointment domestically and in Europe, while Saracens begin life after Mark McCall looking to break back into the top four.
How will Newcastle Red Bulls fare after a summer of huge change? With relegation officially removed, and a World Cup on the horizon, it could be a thrilling season.
Here’s our club-by-club guide and predictions for the new season, in the order in which they finished the last campaign:
Northampton Saints
Reason for optimism…Seven of the 10 directors of rugby across the Prem tipped the champions to defend their title, a mark of how respected Saints are. Club captain George Furbank may have gone out on a high but most of the rest of the squad remains intact, with that golden group of born-and-bred Northampton stars ready to grow together again. Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman are all locked in for the long term, with Henry Pollock potentially soon to follow – and in Phil Dowson and Sam Vesty, they have the league’s best coaching double act.
Reason for concern…Saints’ last title defence in 2024-25 did not go well at all, though a run to the Champions Cup final did rather distract from a wretched domestic campaign that saw them finish eighth. Dowson is confident that the group has learned from that season, and noted a key difference in the significant cohort of leaders they lost then to a more settled group now. Defence coach Lee Radford has now gone full-time with Scotland, with Jim Henry promoted from within and placing an emphasis on post-contact ruck work having studied South Africa closely.
Key addition: Malik Faissal. Edoardo Todaro’s emergence came as something of a surprise last year, and Northampton have now moved for another young Italian wing with plenty of potential. It’s not clear how much run Faissal will get in a back three still blessed with options, though he’ll be fun to monitor.
Predicted finish: 1st
Exeter Chiefs
Reason for optimism…Few pegged Exeter as Prem finalists at this point a year ago, but it all coalesced wonderfully for Rob Baxter in a restorative season for the club. Fresh investment has arrived in the form of Black Knight, whose touches have been light so far yet ensured Chiefs are living less month-to-month and strategising for the future. Harvey Skinner, Campbell Ridl and Josh Iosefa-Scott were among those to take huge steps forward last year, while Tom Hooper and Andrea Zambonin proved outstanding additions in the back five of the pack and are back for more.
Reason for concern…Injuries have already dulled some of the optimism around Exeter, with Ridl set to miss most of the season after tearing his ACL and lock an area of early concern even with captain Dafydd Jenkins ahead of schedule in his own recovery. The squad looks a little thin in places generally.
Key addition: Dallas McLeod. If replacing Len Ikitau was always going to prove troublesome, then the double signings of Will Butt and one-time All Black Dallas McLeod seems a very decent hedging of bets from Exeter. Expect Zack Wimbush to figure strongly in the midfield mix, too, but the well-rounded McLeod will bring a bit of Kiwi class once his Canterbury commitments are at an end.
Predicted finish: 7th
Bath
Reason for optimism…Even after losing a phalanx of heavy hitters led by Thomas du Toit, Bath still boast probably the best squad in the league – and they return with a point to prove after failing to reach a final last year. That showed the difficulty of competing on two fronts but the process-driven Johann van Graan will have learned plenty from the challenge. All of Kepu Tuipulotu, Vilikesa Sela, Sam Underhill, Ben Spencer, Max Ojomoh, Ollie Lawrence and Henry Arundell will want strong seasons to force their way into Steve Borthwick’s World Cup thinking.
Reason for concern…Getting Will Stuart back from a long lay-off will compensate for Du Toit’s departure but the Springbok leaves a sizeable tighthead hole, and there can be no doubting that Bath’s squad this year is slightly weaker than last. A better balance must be found in terms of playing style, with Ben Spencer’s early absence not necessarily helpful in that sense.
Key addition: Mike Prendergast. Bath’s recruitment to the playing staff has been modest, but assistant coach Prendergast could be a pivotal addition. The attack did not fire as Bath wanted it to last season after Lee Blackett’s departure for England, and Prendergast brings existing familiarity with Finn Russell from a stint together at Racing 92.
Predicted finish: 2nd
Leicester Tigers
Reason for optimism…Entering a season with a returning head coach is a relatively novel feeling for Leicester, with Geoff Parling now very much settled in having done solid work during his first year at the club. Another side that perhaps over-performed against expectations last year, there is limited reason to suggest a slipping back into the pack given the quality and togetherness of a group of good age profile and identity.
Reason for concern…That said, Rod Seib faces a tall task succeeding Peter Hewat overseeing an attack that proved much more than the sum of its parts last year. Billy Searle, Orlando Bailey and Will Wand were the finds of the season to answer large midfield questions 12 months ago; the challenge now for the trio is to sustain their success.
Key addition: Aaron Wainwright. Leicester’s business has focused on proven professionals to compensate on a handful of key losses. Old stager Mako Vunipola has big shoes to fill after Nicky Smith’s switch to Sale, though it is Wainwright who feels like the sort of player that could enable Tigers to truly challenge. There’s a load of dynamism in the back row for Parling to play with, and Wainwright may enjoy a new environment – his highest career league finish with the Dragons was second-from-bottom.
Predicted finish: 3rd
Saracens
Reason for optimism…It’s a new era of sorts for Saracens as Brendan Venter steps in for Mark McCall – the man who replaced him 15 years ago. Something just didn’t seem right about Saracens last year but a look down the squad list shows just what quality is available to the returning South African, from the last three England captains to a group of youngsters led by Noah Caluori increasingly ready to take the club forward. Add in George Martin, Alfie Barbeary and Tomos Williams and they should have a good thing going.
Reason for concern…Wider, and significant, upheaval around the club creates a slightly muddy picture behind the scenes at the StoneX, with a third chief executive in three years not, perhaps, ideal. Venter has promised an eyes-wide-open approach to selection, though getting more out of their stars more consistently is a must if Saracens are to rise again into real Prem heavyweights.
Key addition: Brendan Venter. There’s plenty of reason to get excited about what Martin, Barbeary and Williams will bring to north London, yet much will depend on the new head man after McCall’s exit. There is a slight suspicion that Venter may not be here for the long term but a real whirlwind personality will provide all sorts of energy and experience. Can he balance blooding the next crop of academy products with a potential last dance for Sarries’ older guard?
Predicted finish: 4th
Bristol Bears
Reason for optimism…Ravaged by injury last year, it was to Bristol’s credit that they maintained a chase for a top-four place for so long…and a disappointment that they let it slip a little too meekly. A doubling down on their identity will again see them aim to be great entertainers, with the hope that their game drivers can stay fit and firing across the season.
Reason for concern…Coming up on a decade with the club, Pat Lam still remains without a Prem play-off win and Bristol could be pretty fairly described as under-achievers as a result. Short-term deals for Harry Wells and Max Clark are indicative of a few fears about depth in the back five of the pack and midfield. When Bristol are good, they can be very, very good; when they are bad…well, 94 points against Northampton in May was a dark evening.
Key addition: Ethan Staddon. Bristol’s transfer strategy hit the headlines at the back-end of last season but, in actuality, their moves have been modest for this year. Staddon could be a good pick-up, mind – buried beneath Bath’s enviable band of back rowers, a real grafter always looked the sort of player who could impress with greater opportunity. His ability to play across the back row will be hugely valuable, and his jackal threat may take a bit of a load off Fitz Harding.
Predicted finish: 5th
Sale Sharks
Reason for optimism…Recruitment, mainly. Joe Marchant, Nicky Smith, Tomas Francis, Alex Lozwoski, Christ Tshiunza and Courtney Lawes all look excellent signings, with Xavier Roe, Ponipate Loganimasi and Elia Canakavata ready to test themselves in the Prem for the first time. Alex Sanderson came in for some scrutiny last season but retains backing from above – a strong character will reflect deeply on what went wrong and find a few fixes.
Reason for concern…Those new additions may take a little time to gel, and the older age of a couple of them could cause Sanderson to fret following some injury disruption during the course of the last campaign. George Ford, whose brother Joe returns as attack coach, will still have plenty on his shoulders, particularly now iron-man Rob du Preez is bedding in at Bayonne.
Key addition: Courtney Lawes. A move to Sale came together quickly for Lawes, who feels an ideal addition given the leadership he brings. His level will be interesting after a couple of years in ProD2, and Sanderson may have to manage him carefully, but Lawes was playing the best rugby of his career before his Brive move and remains in outstanding physical condition. He should be a useful mentor for Tshiunza, not dissimilar in profile and looking to continue to evolve in the way Lawes has managed across his career.
Predicted finish: 6th
Gloucester
Reason for optimism…Chris Boyd is the sagest of heads to come in as a consultant and take some of the strain away from George Skivington, allowing the head coach to focus more on what he feels best at. A slight shift in strategy was probably necessary and the noises out of Kingsholm have been encouraging, particularly with Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan expected to add plenty to the pack. Replacing Tomos Willliams is an impossible task but Dan Robson is back for more in the city where he made his senior breakthrough 16 years ago.
Reason for concern…Charlie Atkinson kicked on last year to rather distract from Ross Byrne’s failure to settle at Gloucester, though Skivington may want both to drive each other onwards this year. When all on the park, there’s all sorts of mobility across the backline though they were not seen in combination often enough. Gloucester’s lineout struggled at times; Lake will hope to help.
Key addition: Jac Morgan. Geographically, it is only a short hop from Swansea across the Severn but this Gloucester switch feels significant for Morgan. The Prem has perhaps struggled of late to attract the world’s best talent, yet here is a player that deserves to be bracketed in that company and, after an injury-disrupted year, surely ready to rip in.
Predicted finish: 9th
Harlequins
Reason for optimism…Er, well – it can’t be any worse than last year, can it? At this stage of the season 12 months ago, Harlequins found their head coach Danny Wilson on his way to Wales and defence coach Jason Gilmore tossed a tough hand with a misconstructed squad and plenty to sort. A worldwide coaching search concluded that the Australian was the right man to take on the job permanently having done creditable work trying to steady the ship, and a consulting Robbie Deans will be a useful sounding board. A new-look staff has seen Nick Evans end his long stint as player and coach, though there is plenty of excitement about what Brad Cooper might offer after his work with the Hurricanes.
Reason for concern…Even Gilmore seems to admit, though, that it will take time for all of the necessary changes at Quins to really tell. A wider review of the performance set-up has already brought a few tweaks, but the squad still looks slightly strange, with the tight five a continuing concern even with Fin Baxter back from a frustrating foot injury. Youngsters like Ollie Streeter, Elliot Williams and Lucas Friday were bright sparks at the back-end of last year; bigger roles may be required.
Key addition: George Furbank. That said, signing a Prem title-winning skipper feels like handy business. It’s not just on the field that Furbank’s impact will be felt, with Gilmore explaining how the full-back’s gravitas had already been noted even with him still finding his feet after leaving Northampton. Some better injury luck would be welcome, of course, after a wretched run, but a noisy Stoop faithful will be excited about the prospect of Furbank and Marcus Smith in playmaking partnership.
Predicted finish: 8th
Newcastle Red Bulls
Reason for optimism…Newly-arrived Newcastle boss Dan McFarland has described the Red Bulls as a little like a start-up business after a dramatic refresh of their squad in the second year under their eye-catching owners. It’s an intriguing mix of proven Prem performers and a few educated gambles brought in as they look to bounce off the bottom. More recruitment, clearly, will come, with the post-World Cup recruitment cycle underway as clubs target those off contract or eyeing a new challenge after the tournament. Expect Newcastle to be heavy players in that market.
Reason for concern…Such a drastic overhaul will surely cause a few teething troubles, and it may be a case of more short-term pain for long-term gain with plenty still to sort in the Toon. It’s not entirely clear if Fehi Fineanganofo will be joining Newcastle after all given his All Blacks ambitions, which takes some of the shine off a nonetheless impressive outlay in the 12 months since Red Bull arrived. Managing more than the two wins they achieved last year feels a realistic goal; beyond that is slightly uncertain.
Key addition: Hoskins Sotutu. One All Black definitely here is Sotutu, though the No 8 arrives with England ambitions. At times criticised over his work-rate and loose style at the Blues, he is nonetheless exceptionally gifted. Newcastle will hope to see the best of him.
Predicted finish: 10th
