THE Premiership season

has started in pulsating fashion, but some crowds have been disappointing — not least in Coventry on Saturday where just 8,500 spectators watched Wasps dismantle Bristol. If Lee Blackett’s team carry on in a similar vein, it surely won’t be long before the stands are packed again. The Bears have been alarmingly listless in losing twice so far. They need Semi Radradra back to add cutting edge and Kyle Sinckler (right) to add high-class clout up front. Leicester’s re-emergence is gathering momentum and their

showdown against Saracens at Welford Road next Saturday promises to be a telling earlyseason marker. All in all, the league has started as a vibrant showcase of positive intent, which is so refreshing after the turgid South Africa v Lions Test series. It’s just a shame the end of the deal for Channel 5 to show highlights means the Premiership has no terrestrial TV presence for the first time in years.