Premiership 2017/18 club-by-club guide: Exeter Chiefs defend title, Saracens bid to get back on top and who will survive?

A look ahead to the new Premiership season

Bath

Last season: 5th

Prediction: 5th

Key signing: Sam Underhill (Ospreys)

Big loss: George Ford (Leicester Tigers)

Bath can definitely crack the top four this season, but their only problem may be the calibre of opponent that they’re up against. Summer recruitment has been smart, as while they have lost a talented fly-half in George Ford, they have brought in an able replacement in Freddie Burns. However, it’s the addition of Sam Underhill that really excites, and with another year for Todd Blackadder to stamp his touch on the side, the West Country side will certainly be a threat this year.


 
 (Getty)

Exeter Chiefs

Last season: Winners

Prediction: 4th

Key signing: Matt Kvesic (Gloucester)

Big loss: Geoff Parling (Munakata Sanix Blues)

Final winners last season, the big question is can the plucky upsets from the south-west do it again? The smart money says they’ll be in the mix, but they cannot boast the marquee signings that some of their rivals have pulled off in the summer. Director of rugby Rob Baxter has preached the importance of retention in the off-season – something that has held them in good stead in the past – but will it catch up with them this season? Only time will tell.

(Getty)

Gloucester

Last season: 9th

Prediction: 6th

Key signing: Owen Williams (Leicester Tigers)

Big loss: Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)

Gloucester have lost big, and strengthened big, but the hope is that the Cherry & Whites can find something similar to their past form and start heading back towards the right end of the table. In losing Greig Laidlaw, James Hook and Matt Kvesic, among others, a lot of experience has walked out the door, but the trio of Leicester signings will want to impress and with Johann Ackermann at the helm, there could be plenty to look forward to at Kingsholm this season.

(Getty)

Harlequins

Last season: 6th

Prediction: 9th

Key signing: Renaldo Bothma (Bulls)

Big loss: Nick Evans (Retired)

It hasn’t been a good summer for Quins. Talismanic fly-half Nick Evans has called it a day, the new acquisitions fail to stand-out compared to the rest of the Premiership and to make matters worse, they lost flanker Luke Wallace to a long-term injury in pre-season. The Champions Cup campaign could also take its toll, and all signs point to a bumpy nine months ahead.

(Getty)

Leicester Tigers

Last season: 4th

Prediction: 3rd

Key signing: George Ford (Bath)

Big loss: Ed Slater (Gloucester)

Despite sacking Richard Cockerill, Leicester still fought their way into the semi-finals and player out a belter in defeat by Wasps. Smart summer business should see their path to the top four made easier this term, and with Ford and Jonny May in a revamped back-line with a competitive pack, Tigers will be pushing for a home semi-final, though they may just fall short.

(Getty)

London Irish

Last season: Promoted

Prediction: 11th

Key signing: Napolioni Nalaga (Lyon)

Big loss: Gerard Ellis (Dragons)

Welcome back to the Exiles, and who knows, it may not be a one-year stay as it was for predecessors Bristol. Irish return with a number of internationals to boot, Scotland’s Blair Cowan and Italy’s Luke McClean among them, but it’s the eye-catching addition of Fijian Napolioni Nalaga that will really bring the Madejski Stadium to their feet and potentially give them the X-factor to stay afloat.

(Getty)

Newcastle Falcons

Last season: 8th

Prediction: 10th

Key signing: Toby Flood (Toulouse)

Big loss: Mike Delany (Bay of Plenty)

Dean Richards has made some shrewd signings in the summer, with the additions of Maxime Mermoz and DTH van der Merwe bringing some considerable firepower to the Falcons’ back line. However, all eyes will be on the returning Toby Flood, with the 32-year-old back from France and hoping to ignite Newcastle’s push up the table after last season’s strong finish. Unfortunately, it may be a case of looking down rather than up.

(Getty)

Northampton Saints

Last season: 7th

Prediction: 7th

Key signing: Piers Francis (Blues)

Big loss: Louis Picamoles (Montpellier)

The word ‘big’ cannot be emphasised enough when it comes to Louis Picamoles, with the France international’s stay in the Premiership lasting just one year despite last season’s impressive debut. Fly-half Piers Francis will bring something of an unknown quantity to much of the Premiership, and with Dylan Hartley back leading the side, the Saints will hope to get their bite back.

(Getty)

Sale Sharks

Last season: 10th

Prediction: 7th

Key signing: James O’Connor (Toulon)

Big loss: Mike Phillips (Retired)

Sale will be able to boast one of the most exciting half-back pairings in world rugby as they combine Springbok Faf du Plessis with Wallaby James O’Connor, but it’s the signing in the engine room of Josh Strauss that could really do some damage this season. Last season’s finish was well below expectations for Steve Diamond, and he’ll be setting his eyes on the top six this term in the hope of Champions Cup rugby.

(Getty)

Saracens

Last season: 3rd

Prediction: Runners-up

Key signing: Liam Williams (Scarlets)

Big loss: Chris Ashton (Toulon)

Sarries came within a whisker of reaching a fourth consecutive Premiership final last season, only for Exeter’s Sandy Park heroics, and despite winning the European Cup last time out they will feel they have a point to prove. Two signings standout in Liam Williams and Will Skelton, the Lions hero and Australian giant respectively, but it could prove to be back-row Calum Clark that proves to be the best bit of business if he remains out of the England fold and as such plays for the club throughout the full season.

(Getty)

Wasps

Last season: Runners-up

Prediction: Winners

Key signing: Juan de Jongh (Stormers)

Big loss: Kurtley Beale (Waratahs)

A gut-wrenching defeat in the final despite topping the table will have left a bitter taste in Coventry, and it would not be a surprise to see them power to the title this season to make up for their near-miss. Out goes the all-action Kurtley Beale, but in comes the robust former Springbok Juan de Jongh, while it would not be a surprise to see an extra addition or two arrive during the campaign.

(Getty)

Worcester Warriors

Last season: 11th

Prediction: 12th

Key signing: David Denton (Bath)

Big loss: James Johnston (Brive)

(Getty)

Worcester stayed up by a relatively comfortable 13 points last season, but Irish could pose a much stiffer test and the Warriors’ summer business does not exactly instil confidence. The best of them sees Scotland international David Denton arrive from Bath, but it’s going to take something special this season to keep Worcester in the top flight.