BATH
Ground Recreaton Ground
Director of rugby John Connolly
Captain Jonathan Humphreys
One to watch Joe Maddock is a stocky wing imported from New Zealand. At 5ft 8in he's no Jonah Lomu but should make a big impact.
TC's verdict They will try to maintain the same style and impact as last year, but everyone will know what to expect so they won't have the advantage of surprise when they try to outmuscle the opposition and then pick off the points through Olly Barkley's penalty kicks. The loss of two iconic players, Catt and Balshaw, won't actually change much because they barely played last season, but the big plus could be that last season's big signing Robbie Fleck will be available for the whole campaign.
Prediction 4th
Ins Christian Loader (Rotherham), Nick Walshe (Sale), Joe Maddock (Canterbury, NZ), Frikkie Welsh (Blue Bulls, SA).
Outs Kevin Maggs (Ulster), Mike Catt (London Irish), Wylie Human (Northampton), Iain Balshaw (Leeds), Ross Blake (Bristol), Joe Mbu (Harlequins), Hentie Martens, Jamie Williams.
GLOUCESTER
Ground Kingsholm
Director of rugby Nigel Melville
Captain Jake Boer
One to watch James Bailey is a wing who can follow in the vapour trail of James Simpson-Daniel.
TC's verdict Big changes in the front row but the signing of Olivier Azam is a shrewd move as he knows his way round Kingsholm, and they will remain as tough to beat at home as ever. Their ground capacity has been increased but that won't make it any nicer to visit. They've kept much of their team's foundations, and Duncan McRae and Henry Paul will be lively at the back, so they will remain as competitive as ever.
Prediction 5th
Ins Adam Balding (Leicester), Christo Bezuidenhout (Blue Bulls), Gary Powell (Leeds), Olivier Azam (Montferrand), James Bailey (Bristol), James Parkes (Saracens), Terry Sigley (Pertemps Bees)
Outs Rodrigo Roncero (Stade Français), Junior Paramore (Bedford), Robert Todd (Sale), Trevor Woodman (Sale), Thinus Delport (Worcester), Andy Deacon, Steve Brotherstone.
HARLEQUINS
Ground The Stoop
Director of rugby Mark Evans
Captain Andre Vos
One to watch Ugo Monye can prove he is a lot more than a sevens specialist.
TC's verdict They had a fine season, winning the Powergen Cup and getting to Europe, but they were heavily reliant on Paul Burke kicking their goals and will miss him. George Harder was vital as well - if he was in form the whole team went forward - and they will be even more reliant on him. Dafydd James will be a good foil to Harder but they will remain inconsistent, capable of beating the best teams, and losing to the lower lights.
Prediction 7th
Ins Opeta Palepoi, Steven So'oialo (Orrell), Dafydd James (Celtic Warriors), Jeremy Staunton (Munster), Maurice Fitzgerald (Biarritz), Joe Mbu (Bath), Maama Molitika (Celtic Warriors).
Outs Josh Taumalolo (Sale), Chris Bell (Leeds), Pat Sanderson (Worcester), Paul Burke (Munster), Scott Bemand (Leicester), Jason Leonard, Bill Davison, Rob Jewell, Matt Moore, Ben Willis, Laurent Gomez
LEEDS
Ground Headingley
Director of rugby Phil Davies
Captain Tom Palmer
One to watch Chris Bell is built like a back-row forward - he will give the Tykes midfield much-needed bite after his move from Harlequins.
TC's verdict Surprised a few big name clubs in recent years, but stuttered last season. Headingley is a hard place to visit but away form may be their weak point. They have recruited sensibly: Stimpson will be fresh and motivated after losing most of his season at Perpignan with injury, Balshaw needs to relaunch his international career, and Parks is a remarkable kicker. But it may not be enough to keep them out of the relegation battle.
Prediction 11th
Ins Tim Stimpson (Perpignan), Dan Parks (Celtic Warriors), Rayno Gerber (Free State), Iain Balshaw (Bath), Chris Bell (Harlequins), Chris Murphy (Pau), Mark McMillan (Glasgow), Pierre Uys (Stormers), Jon Dunbar (Newcastle).
Outs Dan Scarbrough (Saracens), Clive Stuart-Smith (Worcester), Phil Murphy (Worcester), Aaron Persico (Agen), James Ponton, Tristan Davies (Cardiff), Ryan Walker, Gary Powell (Gloucester), Matt Salter (Bristol).
LEICESTER
Ground Welford Road
Head coach John Wells
Captain Martin Johnson
One to watch Louis Deacon will press Johnson and Ben Kay for a second-row spot.
TC's verdict A massive clear-out, but two more members of the Tuilagi family have been signed, and if they are as powerful as Freddie, that will strike fear into the opposition. This could be a return to the great days for them, if they build on their performance against Wasps at the end of last season. Martin Johnson, Neil Back and company know they are close to the end of their careers, they will have no internationals to distract them, and will want more trophies before they quit.
Prediction 2nd
Ins Alex Tuilagi (Rugby Parma), Andy Tuilagi (Fogapoa Rugby Club, Samoa), Roger Warren (Marist St Joseph), Richard Cockerill (Montferrand), Seru Rabeni (Otago Highlanders, New Zealand), Ephraim Taukafa (Northern Suburbs, Australia), Scott Bemand (Harlequins).
Outs Adam Balding (Gloucester), Glenn Gelderbloom (Plymouth), James Richards (Newport), Tom Tierney (Connacht), Freddie Tuilagi (Cardiff Blues), Jaco Van Der Westhuyzen (NEC, Japan), Neil Baxter, Ricky Nebbett, Ramiro Pez, Dorian West,
LONDON IRISH
Ground Madejski Stadium
Head coach Gary Gold
Captain Ryan Strudwick
One to watch Paul Hodgson is a scrum-half with lots of potential who will press Darren Edwards for his place.
TC's verdict Inconsistency will be their big worry. They made a good start last season, but they weakened as the campaign wore on. They are a great team to play because they never close a game down. Robbie Russell is a great recruit, heís been a really dynamic character at Sarries, and if they can keep Mike Catt free of injury he will cause problems. Chris Sheasby is the big loss: a man who has been round almost all the London clubs, a big character, and a high-quality back row.
Prediction 9th.
Ins Paul Hodgson (Bristol), Robbie Russell (Saracens), Rod Penney (Orrell), Richard Skuse (Bristol), Mike Catt (Bath), Scott Staniforth (NSW Waratahs), Peter Poulos (Japan).
Outs Ed Thrower (Wasps), Rob Hoadley (London Irish), Naka Drotske, Chris Sheasby.
NEWCASTLE
Ground Kingston Park
Director of rugby Rob Andrew
Captains Jonny Wilkinson and Ian Peel
One to watch Matthew Tait is one of the most promising young wings around.
TC's verdict Rejoicing at the return of Jonny the national hero, and his presence will be important for them even if he will be absent during the autumn internationals and Six Nations. Matt Burke is the Premiership's biggest signing of the off-season, and his experience and strength will bring a new spark to the backs. They will be competitive, but they don't have the strength in depth to be at the top of the table.
Prediction 10th.
Ins Colin Charvis (Tarbes), Matthew Burke (NSW Waratahs), Andy Long (Rotherham), Mike McCarthy (Connacht), Semo Sititi (Borders), Luke Gross (Rotherham)
Outs Ben Gollings (Worcester), Hugh Vyvyan (Saracens), Jon Dunbar (Leeds), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Warren Britz (Natal Sharks), Mark Andrews, Garath Archer.
NORTHAMPTON
Ground Franklin's Gardens
Head coach Alan Solomons
Captain Corne Krige
One to watch Darren Fox is an open-side flanker who has expertly filled the gap left by the unlucky Budge Pountney.
TC's verdict A little province of South Africa with the arrivals of Boome and Krige, who should have no trouble fitting in. Krige is an intelligent player with plenty of Super-12 experience, and Boome played at Grenoble for a spell. They are well organised, and have been at the top of their game for several years thanks to big public support in a town that lives for rugby. The loss of Matt Dawson will not be an issue: Mark Robinson's form kept him on the bench for much of last season.
Prediction 3rd
Ins Johan van Wyk (Border), Selborne Boome (Western Province), John Rudd (Wasps), Robbie Kempson (Ulster), Damien Browne (Connacht), Wylie Human (Bath), James Ross (Bedford), Corne Krige (Western Province), Marc Stcherbina (Biarritz).
Outs Ben Russell (Saracens), Matt Dawson (Wasps), James Brooks (Wasps), John Leslie, Nick Beal, Mark Connors.
SALE
Ground Edgeley Park
Director of rugby Philippe Saint-André
Captain Jason Robinson
One to watch Andrew Sheridan. At 24 his conversion to prop is still in the experimental stage but the 19-stone behemoth may be challenging for an England front-row place before long.
TC's verdict Philippe Saint-André's big return and one of the signings of the summer is Sebastian Chabal. As we say in France "Touch him and you burn your fingers". He is a devastating tackler. There is no reason why Saint André shouldn't eventually produce as dynamic a team as he did at Gloucester. Perhaps not this season, though.
Prediction 8th
Ins Sililo Martens (Celtic Warriors), Josh Taumalolo (Harlequins), Trevor Woodman (Gloucester), Sebastien Bruno (Béziers), Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe (Castres), Robert Todd (Gloucester), Sebastien Chabal (Bourgoin), John Payne.
Outs Nick Walshe (Bath), Matt Cairns (Saracens), Alex Sanderson (Saracens), Iain Fullarton (Saracens), Kevin Yates (Saracens), Joe Bedford (Saracens), Andy Kyriacou (Saracens), Dan Harris, Vaughan Going, Braam Van Straaten, Stuart Pinkerton.
SARACENS
Ground Vicarage Road
Head coach Rod Kafer
Captain Hugh Vyvyan
One to watch Nick Lloyd is a young prop with England potential.
TC's verdict At least we have managed to keep the same coaches for two seasons running. There have been massive changes among the players, though. They've come from everywhere, and it may be hard getting everyone to know each other early on. Big reinforcements in the pack mean that last season's area of weakness is covered. All the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are there. Now we need to fit them together.
Prediction 6th
Ins Pila Fifita (North Otago), Glen Jackson (Waikato Chiefs), Ben Russell (Northampton), Nick Lloyd (Rotherham), Matt Cairns, Alex Sanderson, Iain Fullerton, Kevin Yates, Andy Kyriacou, Joe Bedford (all Sale), Hugh Vyvyan (Newcastle), Dan Scarbrough (Leeds), Mark Bartholomeusz (ACT), Moses Rauluni (Brisbane Easts).
Outs Steven Sparks (Worcester), James Parkes (Gloucester), Robbie Russell (London Irish), Emiliano Bergamaschi (Rosario, Argentina), Johnny Marsters, Tony Roques, Dan Kirton, Denis Cech, Adryan Winnan, Craig Yandell.
WASPS
Ground Causeway Stadium
Director of rugby Warren Gatland
Captain Lawrence Dallaglio
One to watch James Brooks is a versatile signing from Northampton who was often overlooked at Franklin's Gardens.
TC's verdict The Martians of domestic rugby: on another planet to the rest of us, and that will not change with Lawrence Dallaglio putting all his focus into club rugby and Matt Dawson to back up Rob Howley. If everyone is on form, they are virtually unbeatable as they just wear you down physically then breeze through the gaps. The example to follow and tomorrow we will have to hope they are ring rusty and have celebrated last season's successes with too much gusto.
Prediction 1st
Ins Matt Priscott (Waikato), Ed Thrower (London Irish), Henry Nwume (Oxford University), Matt Dawson (Northampton), James Brooks (Northampton), Rob Hoadley (London Irish).
Outs Mark Denney (Castres), John Rudd (Northampton), Paul Volley (Castres), Kenny Logan (Glasgow), Shane Roiser.
WORCESTER
Ground Sixways
Director of rugby John Brain
Captain Ben Hinshelwood
One to watch Clive Stuart-Smith, the best young No9 in the land.
TC's verdict The usual enigma when a team is promoted. They were unstoppable in National League One, winning all their games well, and they have recruited far more aggressively than Rotherham did last season, so will be no pushover. Thomas Lombard will be a force to be reckoned with in the centre and Phil Murphy is a strong recruit, but their big weakness will be strength in depth: one key player injured and the pressure will really be on at the foot of the table.
Prediction 12th
Ins Ben Gollings (Newcastle), Thinus Delport (Gloucester), Thomas Lombard (Stade Français), Steven Sparks (Saracens), Brad Macleod-Henderson (Rotherham), Phil Murphy (Leeds), Clive Stuart-Smith (Leeds), Pat Sanderson (Harlequins), Siaosi Vaili (Exeter), Chris Horsman (Celtic Warriors)
Outs Werner Swanepoel, Christian Evans, David Officer.
