LET'S DO HALF

With last season yielding that famous double, the key challenge is maintaining that same level of hunger to succeed, and given that the dual triumph was as much down to mental application and strength as well as consistency and ability, this shouldn't be a problem. The squad has evolved further, with that strength in depth even deeper. The massive loss of Charlie Hodgson, from a playing perspective is catered for by the early recruitment of Alex Lozowski, whilst Sean Maitland adds an experienced reinforcement at full back, with Ben Ransom and Aaron Morris having departed. Chris Ashton had a relatively heavy workload last season in terms of games started, so the signing of Fiji winger Savenaca Rawaca seems a sensible option, particularly if Mr Jones relents and restores Ashton to the full England squad. 

 

In the forwards, Petrus du Plessis was generally started ahead of Juan Figallo, but the addition of South African international Vincent Koch should set up an intriguing three way battle for the tighthead berth. Koch indirectly replaces loosehead Rhys Gill and tightheads Kieran Longbottom and Biyi Alo, so the versatility of Figallo in being able to play at 1 or 3 might be a useful asset this season. Mark Flanagan come in at lock from Bedford Blues, providing a vital back-up to the second choice pairing of Jim Hamilton and Alistair Hargreaves. What to say about the back row - the addition of Michael Rhodes this time last year was inspired, Will Fraser was back to his best, and Billy Vunipola was as effective as ever. Add Schalk Burger to the mix, effectively as a replacement for his retired namesake, and the only headache is working out who will start. 

 

(Thanks to Sara'sman for setting up the earlier post showing all of the comings and goings)

 

The friendlies have seen two commanding wins against Championship opposition in Bedford and London Scottish, the latter at the HAC, but the real test starts here. The 73-7 win over Scottish featured what would generally be expected to be virtually a first choice starting XV, with the exception of the injured Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt, whilst Richard Wigglesworth, Will Fraser and Rhodes didn't feature in the squad, and Koch and Rawaca will arrive later. So a possible line up has Alex Goode at full back, with Chris Ashton and Chris Wyles on the wings, and a centre partnership of Marcelo Bosch and Duncan Taylor, with a half back partnership of Lozowski and Neil de Kock. In the forwards, Mako Vunipola, Schalk Brits and Petrus du Plessis should make up the front row, with the customary second row of Maro Itoje and George Kruis, and a back row of Jackson Wray, Burger and Billy Vunipola. 

 

Worcester Warriors are something of an enigma. With most of the ingredients of Exeter Chiefs, in committed ownership and support, and a stadium which has evolved in an impressive venue, they have been the archetypal yo-yo side, unlike the Devon side's on-field progression, although unlike Bristol until last , the string on the yo-yo didn't appear to have broken. Having delivered a solid tenth place finish last season in their firest season back, Dean Ryan unexpectedly departed at the end of the campaign, having set some foundations such as a change to the style of play, with the signing of South African scrum half Francois Hougaard providing the catalyst for some late season wins which took them clear of Newcastle and London Irish in the relegation battle. Ironically, Ryan's departure came just after an increase to the Warriors budget had been announced by the club's management. Carl Hogg is the new head coach, and Sixways will become the third Premiership side to use an all-weather pitch. 

 

Key comings and goings have seen the departure of lock Darren O'Shea to Munster, whilst scrum half Charlie Mulchrone has switched to Harlequins and centre Andy Symons moved to Gloucester. Hougaard was signed on a longer term deal, whilst two further additions to the backs included Leinster's Ben Te'o and Maori All Black Jackson Willison from Grenoble. In the forwards, Alo has signed from Saracens to provide further options at tighthead, whilst lock Will Spencer has made the switch from Bath, hooker Matt Williams signs from Northampton Saints and Marco Mama returns to the back row from Bristol. A trio of pre-season friendlies took the Warriors to Clermont Auvergne, where they lost 35-14, Jersey, who beat them 23-17, and Munster, who hammered them 52-21 in Cork, the last of these seeing the visitors struggle to deal with the hosts' forward power and accurate kicking game, although Ryan Lamb caused the province some late problems with some inspired kicking of his own.The starting line up will probably be similar at HQ so that would see Willison at full back, with a dangerous wing pairing of Dean Hammond and Cooper Vuna, outside a centre partnership of Te'o and Max Stelling. Tom Heathcote at fly half and Tommy Arr appear the likeliest half back partnership. Into the forwards, and Na'ama Leleimalefaga, Niall Annett and Mike Daniels are a possible front row, with Donncha O'Callaghan and Darren Barry teaming up in the second row, and a back row trio of Phil Dowson, Carl Kirwan and GJ van Velze. 

 

The concept of the London Double Header seems to be repeatedly questioned by many at the moment. By the end of this season, Twickenham will have been used as a venue for home matches, by no less than five sides, Saracens, though a Quarter Final with Allianz Park not large enough, Harlequins (with the successful Big Game format), Wasps (St George's Day and then the Stinger), London Irish (branded as the Capitals Clash against Leinster in the Heineken Cup), and, inexplicably, in my view, Bath will swap the most picturesque venue in the Premiership for HQ. With the Premiership final still relatively easy to get tickets for, certainly compared to internationals, the novelty factor which exists for Saracens at Wembley and Northampton's forays to Milton Keynes (Saracens this year), does not exist. That said, it's a curtain raiser and attracts reasonable crowds, at least in number if not behaviour, but nowhere near as many as Big Game. Saracens are first up, so there's the choice to vote leave or remain before Quins take the stage. I've always been in the latter camp, as, despite the antics of some of the crowd, it's a "free" game, and an opportunity to check out some of the competition, particularly as it will be interesting to see how Bristol fare after taking so long to make it back.