Nothing left over to challenge Josh now
the quality at the top end is even better. Wasps have a couple of key bodies that are different and got a lot of quality added as well.
“Gloucester added a lot of quality and there have been coaching shake-ups to change the dynamic at Northampton and Quins.”
Paul Gustard has already demonstrated his desire to be different at Quins by changing the word ‘substitutes’ to ‘game changers’ on his match-day team Last season Last season This season This season sheet, much as his old boss Eddie Jones had christened England’s replacements ‘finishers’.
A load of irrelevant fluff if you lose, of course, but bench strength – the offshoot of squad depth – will
Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert (Lions). John Afoa (Bristol), Billy Burns (Ulster).
All the noise surrounds Danny Cipriani’s arrival – and he can elevate Gloucester’s backline to another level – but it is up front where the big push may be coming. If lock Franco Mostert recaptures his form from the summer against England in the company of a clutch of other South African high achievers, Gloucester should do well.
They staged the biggest comeback last term, rallying from 17 points down to beat London Irish.
David Strettle (Clermont), Tom Woolstencroft (London Irish). Schalk Brits (tbc), Chris Wyles (retired).
Compared to last season, when Mark McCall was managing weary Lions down on their luck with England, this season should be a breeze. Given Saracens won the Premiership regardless in 2017-18, they are worthy favourites for back-to-back titles.
Owen Farrell’s boot helped Saracens set a new record for a 22-round campaign with 730 points last season, beating their own tally of 729 in 1999-2000. Nathan Earle (Saracens), Nick Auterac (Bath). Last season Last season This season (semi finalists)This season be important with the injury count showing no sign of falling. Billy Vunipola will miss the start of the season at Saracens, so too Jack Nowell at Exeter. But while they have cover, Worcester may be hit harder by
Charlie Matthews (Wasps). New head of rugby Paul Gustard, having escaped the England pressure cooker, must add a defensive spine and some team spirit or Harlequins will be in a dogfight. They ended last season little short of a shambles, leaking 40 points a game over their final four matches.
Stand-off Marcus Smith, then 18, was the youngest player to start a match in the Premiership last season. Brad Shields (Hurricanes), Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders), Nizaam Carr (Stormers). Danny Cipriani (Gloucester), James Haskell (Northampton), Guy Thompson (Leicester). Dai Young thinks his side are capable of playing a more direct game this season as well as the flair rugby that lit up the Ricoh Arena. Things will not be too pragmatic though with exciting All Black Lima Sopoaga arriving. Christian Wade was equal top try-scorer with 13. A repeat this season will see the dancing wing break Tom Varndell’s all-time Premiership record. (semi finalists) the absence of Ben Te’o. Bristol’s lavishly-backed arrival has them – and half the league – looking nervously over their shoulders.
Take out the 2014-15 season when London Welsh went down with just one point to their name, 21 points has been the average survival mark. This season looks more like 2011-12 when Newcastle went down with 32. If the Warriors want to escape the drop, they will need all hands on deck. Kyle Eastmond (Wasps), David Denton, Will Spencer (both Worcester). Logovi’i Mulipola (Newcastle), Harry Thacker (Bristol).
Leicester have beefed up their pack, which should give George Ford more ammunition, but the invincibility has gone. Their first missed play-offs for 14 years last season underlined how England’s biggest club have regressed.
Telusa Veainu lays claim to being the most elusive player in the Premiership, beating 89 defenders in the league last season. Last season Last season This season Francois Venter (Cheetahs), Cornell du Preez (Edinburgh). David Denton, Will Spencer (both Leicester), Donncha O’Callaghan (retired). Worcester should have a single objective this season – survival – but unless a rival club goes into a tailspin the omens are not good. Their squad is short on stardust and their Lions centre Ben Te’o is once again injured. They may need to eke out half-a-dozen home wins to stay up. Worcester topped the discipline table last season picking up no red cards and just five yellows. This season COMEBACK king Josh Drinkwater has not given a second thought to Catalans’ remaining league games after their historic Challenge Cup win.
The Dragons became the first non-English winners in the trophy’s 121-year history on Saturday, with Australian Drinkwater having played a key role in their remarkable revival.
But once the partying in Perpignan has died down this week, the French side still have five Super 8s matches remaining.
That starts at Castleford on Saturday but Catalans are out of the race for the top four and safe from relegation, having come close to the drop last season.
Coach Steve McNamara joked that he wished he could cancel the matches after the Wembley win and Drinkwater said: “I’m not even thinking about the last five games. The few days after the cup final, we’ve got to enjoy it – it has been a roller-coaster for the club and the players, and a lot were involved in the Million Pound Game last year.
“To bring the first trophy back to Perpignan is massive. I don’t think people fully understand what it’s like here.
“They’re the most passionate supporters in the league. I’m happy for them as well.
“Even though I don’t speak French I sort of understand what they’re saying when they’re yelling at me, or you’re driving around and they’re beeping horns and waving at you. It’s a great place to be at the moment.”
Saturday’s win also completed a remarkable personal journey for Drinkwater, who had his contract cancelled with the Leigh team who lost the Million Pound Game and had to return to Australia to work as a gardener.
He said: “It’s been emotional for me – I shed a tear in the sheds after the game.
“There were some lows there. I was one year into a three-year deal at Leigh, and then had to go back home and get a proper job, dig holes and play part-time.
“But it’s part of rugby league and I still believed I could play at the top level.”
Wigan and England captain Sean O’Loughlin, who suffered a calf strain in mid-July, is set to return from injury in Friday’s trip to derby rivals St Helens.
Head coach Shaun Wane said: “Having ‘Lockers’ back is a huge boost. We all know what an influence he has on the side.”