Season Predictions

The new season will be upon us this weekend, and it’s time to look in the crystal ball and see what lies ahead. Overall this season looks much harder to predict than recent ones, where we have had 3 distinct camps. There have been significant changes of personnel at a few clubs, while others have remained relatively unchanged. We certainly don’t have an outstanding relegation candidate this time around.

So in alphabetical order:

Bath. Have flattered to deceive in recent seasons, and I suspect the loss of Michael Claassens will be a significant blow. Although the arrival of Henson I suspect will be a sideshow that will have probably left town before we tuck into our Christmas lunch, the Irish arrivals could make a real difference. Again no HC distraction, so a good chance to get up to 5^th

Exeter. Another great effort from them last season, and they have some good recruits to supplement their impressive array of youngsters. But yet again, the Heineken Cup could stretch them too thinly to make the top 4. May slip to 7^th

Gloucester. They probably have the best back-row in the league, but do they have enough grunt in front of it? Bags of talent in the backline, but England calls will hurt. Despite all of that, I think they could get up a decent head of steam so I’m going for 4^th.

Harlequins. Paul, Doreen and Joan were signed to cover the loss of James Johnston to our good selves. They will rely heavily on the Two Nicks (3 now if you count Kennedy) defying father time to keep going for the whole season. A daunting HC group this time means no respite. Could drop to 6^th.

Leicester Tigers. By and large the same as last time out, and have will be hoping that Matt Tait continues his resurgence and prove to be a genuine Geordan Murphy replacement. Having Croft for the whole season may just be enough to propel them up to 1^st.

London Irish. Have lost the cream of their crop to Bath, but have recruited well from the Pacific Islands. As we found to our cost, they can be formidable at home but will probably struggle on the road again. A lack of depth will could cost dearly so for me it’s 11^th.

London Wasps. Almost an entirely new cast, but the seemingly perennial question over whether their front row will cost them more than their flying wingers gains them still remains. Could end up almost anywhere, but I’m going for 8^th.

Newcastle Falcons (or Sarries Vets). Look a bit stronger this time out in all areas apart from fly-half, where they have lost the metronomic Jimmy Gopperth. A failure to take everything on offer could really hurt them, and while they won’t go down without a fight they’re my favourites for 12^th.

Northampton Saints. How we laughed when they signed Corbisero. How we shuddered when we saw what he and George North did to the Aussies. If they can get these two on the field for a decent part of the season they could get some unstoppable momentum. Good candidate for 3^rd.

Sale. Some big name departures, with rather more workman like replacements. I’m sure Dimes will have them whipped into a frenzy, but not sure it will propel them too far up the table.  Should get 10^th.

Saracens. How much psychological damage has those two (strictly 3) semi-final defeats done? More than we might want to admit, but some heavyweight arrivals and a comfortable HC pool should be enough to keep us in the top 2, so 2^nd it is.

Worcester Warriors. Almost a whole new team, and a new coach. Better make that 2 new coaches after Saturday. I suspect they will take time to gel under Dean Ryan, and like most in the lower half will be hard to beat at home, less so away. I can see them comfortably placed at 9th.