Gallagher Premiership club-by-club guide

Bath

Last season Sixth Coach Stuart Hooper (right) Bath just snuck into the Champions Cup places last season but, with high-profile departures such as Dave Attwood, Kahn Fotuali’i and Luke Charteris to contend with, optimism will not be rife among the supporters at the Recreation Ground.

Predicted finish 10th

Gloucester

Last season Third Coach Johan Ackermann Gloucester have been a vastly-improved outfit under the tutelage of Ackermann (right) – he has returned their steely edge – and there is no reason why that should cease this year, especially with the arrivals of Joe Simpson and Corne Fourie.

Prediction Third

London Irish

Last season Promoted Coach Declan Kidney (right) London Irish have been hitting the transfer market heavily, with a raft of experienced internationals set to arrive in Reading. Questions will be asked, however, as to whether they have the squad depth to challenge regularly. Prediction 11th

Saracens

Last season Second (champions)

Coach Mark Mccall (right) International call-ups might damage their chances of finishing top, but Saracens were on another level last season and there is no sign of that subsiding. Expect to see them lift more trophies.

Prediction Champions

Bristol Bears

Last season Ninth

Coach Pat Lam

Lam’s second season finished with Bristol pushing strongly for a top-six finish. Expect them to be in a similar position this year, with incoming signings Nathan Hughes (right) and Dave Attwood enhancing their challenge.

Prediction Eighth

Harlequins

Last season Fifth

Coach Paul Gustard (right) Harlequins were a whisker away from securing a play-off spot in Paul Gustard’s debut season in charge. However, he has overseen a raft of changes to this season’s squad, with 17 players departing and 15 individuals coming into the side.

Prediction Sixth

Northampton Saints

Last season Fourth Coach Chris Boyd (right) There is no shame in a 42-12 semi-final loss away to Exeter Chiefs last season, especially after three successive finishes outside the top four for Northampton. The competition is getting increasingly tight at the top, however.

Prediction Fifth

Wasps

Last season Eighth

Coach Dai Young

The big names of Malakai Fekitoa (right) and, fresh from his snazzy World Cup escapades with Italy, Matteo Minozzi make up for the loss of Elliot Daly to Saracens, but Wasps’ pack will struggle during the coming season.

Prediction Ninth

Exeter Chiefs

Last season First (losing finalists)

Coach Rob Baxter (right) Exeter just came up short to Saracens in last season’s mesmeric play-off final after finishing top of the regular-season table by eight points, and you would not bet against them achieving the very same this season.

Prediction Losing finalists

Leicester Tigers

Last season 11th Coach Geordan Murphy (right)

Following the worst season in the club’s history, in which they were caught in a relegation dogfight, Champions Cup qualification will be the minimum goal. Added forward grunt should lead to a resurgence.

Prediction Seventh

Sale Sharks

Last season Seventh Coach Steve Diamond The arrival of South African juggernauts Lood de Jager, Akker van der Merwe and Coenie Oosthuizen, as well as the three Du Preez brothers, including Jean-luc (right), make Sale contenders as they seek their first top-four finish since 2006.

Prediction Fourth

Worcester Warriors

Last season 10th

Coach Alan Solomons (right) This could be a long season for the Warriors, who are favourites for relegation. Bryce Heem, Josh Adams, Wynand Olivier, Ben Te’o, and Jack Singleton have all departed, seemingly without having been properly replaced.

Prediction Relegation