Leicester

Director of rugby: Richard Cockerill

Captain: Geordan Murphy

Last season: Lost final to Saracens

Players in: Kieran Brookes (Newcastle), Julian Salvi (Brumbies), Graham Kitchener (Worcester), Micky Young (Newcastle), Niall Morris (Leinster), Mathew Tait (Sale)

Players out: Dave Markham (Gloucester), Pieter Myburgh (Cheetahs), Dan Hipkiss (Bath), Lucas Amorosino (Montpellier), Matt Everard (Wasps)

World Cup players: Manu Tuilagi, Louis Deacon, Dan Cole, Tom Croft, Toby Flood, Ben Youngs (England), Geordan Murphy (Ireland), Horacio Agulla (Argentina), Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy), Alesana Tuilagi (Samoa)

Odds: 9/4

Leicester are perennial contenders for the title but have to ensure that the loss of so many key players to the World Cup does not derail this year's challenge before it has begun. Mathew Tait may be a vital attacking threat early on if he is able to realise his huge potential.

Saracens

Director of rugby: Mark McCall

Captain: Steve Borthwick

Last season: Champions

Players in: Tiger Bax (Western Province), Charlie Hodgson (Sale), John Smit (Sharks), Nemia Kenatale (Tailevu), Mako Vunipola (Bristol), Ben Spencer (Cambridge), Joe Maddock (Treviso), Duncan Taylor (Bedford)

Players out: Tom Ryder (Glasgow), Ethienne Reynecke (Connacht), Matt Parr (Nottingham), Noah Cato (Northampton), Kevin Barrett (Exeter), Henry Staff (Bedford), Donald Barrell (Bedford), Alex Brown (Doncaster), Richard Skuse (retired)

World Cup players: Richard Wigglesworth, Matt Stevens (England) Kelly Brown (Scotland), John Smit, (South Africa), Michael Tagicakibau (Fiji), Jacques Burger (Namibia), Hayden Smith, Chris Wyles (USA)

Odds: 5-2

The champions appear even stronger with the addition of Charlie Hodgson, who will provide competition for Owen Farrell at fly-half. Similarly the Springbok captain, John Smit, will join after the World Cup as the South African links continue to grow. The club could switch home mid-season if their plans to move to their new stadium at Barnet Copthall press ahead or they could remain in Watford. Wherever they are playing, another title challenge seems assured.

Gloucester

Head coach: Bryan Redpath

Captain: Mike Tindall

Last season: Semi-finalists (3rd)

Players in: Matías Cortese (Pampas XV), Dan Murphy (London Irish), Dario Chistolini (Petrarca Padova), Dave Markham (Leicester), Nick Runciman (London Welsh), Nathan Charles (Western Force), Tom Savage (Hartpury College)

Players out: Olivier Azam (retired), Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton), Alasdair Dickinson (Sale), Dave Attwood (Bath), Jordi Pasqualin (Newcastle), Nicky Robinson (Wasps), Pierre Capdevielle (released)

World Cup players: Rory Lawson, Jim Hamilton, Scott Lawson, Alasdair Strokosch (Scotland), Mike Tindall (England), Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu (Samoa)

Odds: 9-1

Their superb form towards the end of last season lifted Gloucester to a position that exceeded expectations after a poor start to the season. This season they have lost key players in the lock Dave Attwood, fly-half Nicky Robinson and prop Paul Doran-Jones, nevermind a handful more during the World Cup. The game-breaking ability of the backs James Simpson-Daniel and Charlie Sharples will always be a threat, however.

Northampton

Director of rugby: Jim Mallinder

Captain: Dylan Hartley

Last season: Semi-finalists (4th)

Players in: Paul Doran-Jones (Gloucester), James Craig (Leeds), Samu Manoa (San Francisco Golden Gate), Martin Roberts (Scarlets), Ryan Lamb (London Irish), George Pisi (Clermont), Tom May (Toulon), Noah Cato (Saracens), César Sempere (Nottingham), Vasily Artemiev (VVA-Podmoskovye)

Players out: Andy Long (retired), Regardt Dreyer (retired), Ryan Powell (retired), Dan Sanderson (Moseley), Dan Vickerman (Waratahs), Mark Easter (Sale), Shane Geraghty (Brive), Joe Ford (Leeds), Joe Ansbro (London Irish), Bruce Reihana (Bordeaux-Bègles), Matt Cornwell (unknown), Regardt Dreyer (unknown)

World Cup players: Samu Manoa (USA), Cesar Sempere (Spain), Vasily Artemiev (Russia), Chris Ashton, Ben Foden, Tom Wood, Courtney Lawes (England), Soane Tonga'uiha (Tonga), George Pisi (Samoa)

Odds: 9-2

Northampton suffered hugely when their internationals departed last season for the Six Nations and need to ensure that the same does not happen at the beginning of this campaign. New acquisitions, such as Tom May and Noah Cato, need to prove they can step up in the absence of Chris Ashton and the rest.

Bath

Director of rugby: Sir Ian McGeechan

Captain: Stuart Hooper

Last season: 5th

Players in: Anthony Perenise (Hurricanes), Charlie Beech (Wasps), Dave Attwood (Gloucester), Ryan Caldwell (Ulster), Carl Fearns (Sale), Francois Louw (Stormers), Stephen Donald (Chiefs), Dan Hipkiss (Leicester), Kyle Eastmond (St Helens RL)

Players out: Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Ignacio Fernández Lobbe (retired), Danny Grewcock (retired), Luke Watson (Southern Kings), Butch James (Lions), Shontayne Hape (London Irish), Jacques Boussuge (Brive), Peter Short (Exeter)

World Cup players: David Wilson, Lee Mears, Lewis Moody, Matt Banahan (England), Francois Louw (South Africa)

Odds: 6-1

Bath have made a series of shrewd acquisitions, including the England internationals Dave Attwood and Dan Hipkiss, and the All Black Stephen Donald. With Sir Ian McGeechan now in sole charge as director of rugby, Bath will be looking to challenge seriously for a play-off berth but will need to avoid a repeat of last year's slow start while the World Cup is on.

London Irish

Head coach: Toby Booth

Captain: Clarke Dermody

Last season: 6th

Players in: Shontayne Hape (Bath), Joe Ansbro (Northampton), Jonathan Spratt (Ospreys), Leo Halavatau (Birmingham and Solihull), Bryn Evans (Hurricanes, Hawke's Bay), James Sandford (Rotherham), Alex Gray (Newcastle), Ross Samson (Edinburgh), Steven Shingler (Scarlets), Jebb Sinclair (Atlantic Rock), Tom Alexander (Eastwood, Sydney), Adrian Jarvis (Leeds), Edward Siggery (Scarlets)

Players out: Dan Murphy (Gloucester), Jamie Tideswell (London Welsh), Jon Fisher (Bedford), Steffon Armitage (Toulon), George Stowers (Ospreys), Ben Stevenson (London Welsh), Ryan Lamb (Northampton), Chris Malone (retired), Seilala Mapusua (Kubota Spears), Marcus Watson (Saracens), Jamie Lennard (Bedford), Will Johnson (unattached), Elvis Seveali'i (Samoa)

World Cup players: Alex Corbisiero, Delon Armitage, Shontayne Hape (England), Joe Ansbro (Scotland), Paulicã Ion (Romania) Elvis Seveali'i, Sailosi Tagicakibau (Samoa), Chris Hala'ufia (Tonga)

Odds: 20-1

An excellent start to last season suggested the Exiles would provide a strong title challenge but the optimism dissipated as their woeful away form failed to improve. The squad has seen widespread changes this summer, notably in their midfield. This, combined with the unavailability of a considerable contingent during the World Cup, means that Irish will struggle to improve on last year's mid-table finish.

Harlequins

Director of rugby: Conor O'Shea

Captain: Chris Robshaw

Last season: 7th

Players in: Tim Fairbrother (Western Force), Matt Hopper (Cornish Pirates)

Players out: Gonzalo Camacho (Exeter), John Andress (Exeter), Ceri Jones (Worcester), Lewis Stevenson (Ulster), James Percival (Worcester), Dave Moore (Connacht)

World Cup players: Nick Easter (England)

Odds: 14-1

Almost untouched by World Cup call-ups, Harlequins will look to build on their excellent European Challenge Cup win last season with a quick start to this campaign. The squad consists of primarily young, English players, led by Chris Robshaw, and including another All Black who escaped from Dan Carter's shadow, Nick Evans, at fly-half.

Exeter

Head coach: Rob Baxter

Captain: Tommy Hayes

Last season: 8th

Players in: Gonzalo Camacho (Harlequins), Myles Dorrian (Bedford), Ben White (Cardiff Blues), Kevin Barrett (Saracens) Peter Short (Bath), John Andress (Harlequins), Josh Tatupu (Castres), Aly Muldowney (Glasgow Warriors), Craig Mitchell (Ospreys)

Players out: Ignatio Elosu (Plymouth Albion), Jack Andrew (Plymouth Albion), Eoghan Grace (Connacht), Andy Miller (retired), Ryan Davis (Wasps), Drew Locke (Cornish Pirates), Ruaidhri Murphy (Easts Tigers), Dave Gannon, Nemani Nadolo (Green Rockets), Paul McKenzie, Josh Matavesi (Racing Metro), Andrew Higgins

World Cup players: C Mitchell (Wales), Junior Poluleuligaga (Samoa)

Odds: 150-1

Exeter surprised everybody with a stunning debut campaign last season and now must consolidate. The squad has been strengthened but the club will generally rely on the nous and the guidance of the head coach, Rob Baxter, which served them so well last season. The continued excellence of Gareth Steenson's kicking will help.

London Wasps

Director of rugby: Dai Young

Captain: Tom Rees

Last season: 9th

Players in: Steve Thompson (Leeds), Lewis Thiede (Doncaster), Jérémy Castex (Narbonne), Simon McIntyre (Sale), Ross Filipo (Bayonne), Marco Wentzel (Leeds), Jonathan Poff (Crusaders), Ryan Davis (Exeter), Nicky Robinson (Gloucester), Chris Mayor (Gran Parma), Chris Bell (Sale), Matt Everard (Leicester), James Harris (Blackheath), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais), Alex Cheeseman (Oxford University), Guillermo Roan (La Plata)

Players out: Joe Ward (Sale), Charlie Beech (Bath), Dave Walder (Mitsibushi Dynoboars), Steve Kefu (Bay of Plenty), Ben Jacobs (Kyoden Voltex), Seb Jewell (London Welsh), Mark van Gisbergen (Lyon), Josh Lewsey (retired), Dan Ward-Smith (retired), Serge Betsen, Will Matthews, Andy Powell (Sale)

World Cup players: Steve Thompson, Joe Simpson (England)

Odds: 33-1

Dai Young has arrived as director of rugby, from the Cardiff Blues, seeking to reverse Wasps' slide down the table. Joe Worsley and Riki Flutey missed out on the World Cup and will be invaluable in the early weeks with captain Tom Rees again struck by injury. Young will be reunited with his former Blues fly-half Nicky Robinson.

Sale

Director of sport: Tom Hughes

Captain: Sam Tuitupou

Last season: 10th

Players in: Joe Ward (Wasps), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Tony Buckley (Munster), Andrei Ostrikov (Aurillac), Fraser McKenzie (Edinburgh), Hendre Fourie (Leeds), Kearnan Myall (Leeds), Richie Vernon (Glasgow), Mark Easter (Northampton), Andy Powell (Wasps), Scott Mathie (Leeds), Tasesa Lavea (Clermont), Luther Burrell (Leeds), Sam Tuitupou (Munster), Charlie Amesbury (Newcastle), Joaquin Tuculet (Club de Rugby Los Tilos), Johnny Leota (Otago)

Players out: Karena Wihongi (Castres), Eifion Roberts (Toulon), Simon McIntyre (Wasps), Sean Cox (Edinburgh), Nic Rouse (Nottingham), Chris Jones (Worcester), Carl Fearns (Bath), Sisa Koyamaibole (Lyon), Chris Leck (Edinburgh), Charlie Hodgson (Saracens), Chris Bell (Wasps), Jonny Kennedy (retd), Ben Cohen (retd), Jack Forster, Kristian Ormsby, Neil McMillan, Asaeli Boko, Chris Brightwell, Matty James, Fergus Mulchrone, Rhys Crane, Selorm Kuadey, Paul Williams

World Cup players: Alasdair Dickinson, Richie Vernon (Scotland), Andy Powell (Wales), Tony Buckley (Ireland), Andrei Ostrikov (Russia), Andrew Sheridan, Mark Cueto (England), Wame Lewaravu (Fiji)

Odds: 66-1

Charlie Hodgson was the heartbeat of the Sale side and his departure to Saracens will leave a gaping hole. The signings of Hendre Fourie and Andy Powell will strengthen the Sharks' back row, as the squad experienced an enormous overhaul during the summer. The season ahead is, therefore, difficult to predict but even a challenge for a top-half finish will be a difficult.

Newcastle

Head coach: Alan Tait

Captain: James Hudson

Last season: 11th

Players in: Dan Frazier (Doncaster), Ashley Wells (Wildeklawer Griquas), Richard Mayhew (Esher), Greg Goosen (La Rochelle), Jordi Pasqualin (Gloucester), Will Chudley (Bedford), Jamie Helleur (Auckland), Ryan Shortland (Waratahs) Taiasina Tu'ifua (Waikato Chiefs), Josh Beaumont (Fylde), Rikki Sheriffe (Bradford Bulls RL), Richard Boyle (Tynedale)

Players out: Micky Ward (Blaydon), Kieran Brookes (Leicester), Josh Afu (Carcassonne), Micky Young (Leicester), Hall Charlton (Blaydon), Andrew Henderson (GHA), Tane Tu'ipulotu (Yamaha Júbilo), Rob Vickerman (England Sevens), Danny Williams (Salford City Reds RL), Charlie Amesbury (Sale), Filipo Levi (Tasman Makos), Gcobani Bobo (unattached), Ed Williamson (retired), Tim Ryan, Brent Wilson

World Cup players: Taiasina Tu'ifua (Samoa), Euan Murray (Scotland)

Odds: 250-1

The Falcons have flirted with relegation for numerous years and this could be another difficult season for the club. More promising young players in the form of Micky Young and Kieran Brookes have left the club and financial concerns hover in the background. Jimmy Gopperth, though, is still a solid presence at fly-half.

Worcester

Head coach: Richard Hill

Captain: Chris Pennell

Last season: Promoted

Players in: Danny Gray (Montauban), James Percival (Harlequins), Shaun Perry (Brive), Ceri Jones (Harlequins), Chris Jones (Sale), Ollie Hayes (Bristol), Errie Claassens (London Welsh), Josh Drauniniu (London Welsh), Sione Tu'ipulotu (Plymouth), George Porter (Plymouth), Ben Gulliver (Cornish Pirates), Ravai Fatiaki (Tailevu), Sam Betty (Cornish Pirates)

Players out: Callum Black (Ulster), James Collins (Sale), Graham Kitchener (Leicester), Louis Silver (Bristol), Willie Walker (North Harbour), Will Bowley (Toyota Shokki), Oriol Ripol (unattached) Rob Higgitt (Thornbury) Andy Williams (Luctonians), Greg Rawlinson (retired), Adam Black (retired), Pat Sanderson (retired)

World Cup players: Alex Lutui, Sione Tu'ipulotu, (Tonga), Ravai Fatiaki (Fiji)

Odds: 200-1

Worcester return to the Premiership after only one season in the Championship and have strengthened the squad wisely. The pairing of Shaun Perry and his fellow former England international Andy Goode behind the scrum provides experience that was lost with the retirement of the flanker Pat Sanderson. The Warriors will look to follow in Exeter's footsteps, with the canny former Bristol coach Richard Hill at the helm.