Guinness Premiership Returns

Guinness Premiership Returns

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As the Guinness Premiership season kicks-off this weekend, Rugby Union is still recovering from the Bloodgate affair. Can the sport clean up its act and deliver an exciting season? Rob Treloar assesses the credentials of the main title contenders…

Leicester Tigers

The Premiership Champions and Heineken Cup runners-up will once again be the team to beat. The Tigers may have lost Martin Corry to retirement but Geordan Murphy deputised ably in his absence last season, so the transition should be a seamless one. There have been many changes to the squad, with no less than 15 players departing, and seven new players coming in. But the nucleus of the side remains intact and Leicester will take some stopping. The Tigers are favourites to retain the title, priced at 5/2 with bwin.

Gloucester

In any other summer the wholesale changes at Gloucester would probably have dominated the headlines. The Guinness Premiership’s nearly men have made many changes as they try to go that one step further. New head coach Bryan Redpath has added a number of experienced pros to a squad which was previously criticised for its lack of experience. But whether the additions will help Gloucester bridge the gap is debatable. Their opening fixture against Bath will reveal plenty about their title prospects. With bwin Gloucester are 6/1 for the title.

Harlequins

With so much controversy surrounding Harlequins it will be interesting to see whether or not they can bounce back from Bloodgate. On the face of it Quins have a squad that is capable of competing for honours this season, but much will depend on how much damage has been done to morale and preparation ahead of the new campaign. There have been several new arrivals which will inject new blood into the squad but Will Skinner faces a huge task to galvanise his fellow players and restore some credibility to the team. Harlequins are 9/1 to win the Premiership with bwin.

Bath

Like Harlequins, Bath have endured a turbulent summer which has resulted in five of their most important players leaving the club. But Steve Meehan’s squad has strength in depth and his new signings may just fill the void left at Bath. Luke Watson could be the perfect replacement for Michael Lipman, and along with Ben Skirving he will provide options in the back row. Bath are 6/1 to win the Premiership with bwin.