NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

LAST SEASON: 9th. COACH: Chris Boyd KEY INS: Dom Barrow (Leicester), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Ben Franks (London Irish), Joe Gray (Harlequins), James Haskell (Wasps), Taqele Naiyaravoro (NSW).

KEY OUTS: Kieran Brookes (Wasps), Ben Foden (Rugby United, New York), Nic Groom (Lions, SA), Campese Ma’afu (Leicester), Stephen Myler (London Irish), George North (Ospreys), Rob Horne, Christian Day (both retired). STAR MAN: Dan Biggar. No man is more suited to the relentless, brutal Premiership season. BOSS’S BOLTER — Chris

Boyd: ‘David Ribbans. Big, strong and physical with a great work ethic. He might turn a few heads this year in partnership with Courtney Lawes in the second row.’ FAN VERDICT — Michelle Watkins: ‘With new coaches and signings, it’s probably going to be a season of transition after a few difficult years.’ SPORTSMAIL’S VERDICT: 7th. Dan Biggar’s influence twinned with more beef up front could be a heady mixture.