Rugby Union: Club-by-club guide to th Allied Dunbar Premiership

BATH

Coaches: Andy Robinson, Clive Woodward

Captain: Andy Nicol

From state-of-the-art to a right old state in the space of a season, the one-time perennial champions have something to prove after a shambolic campaign last term. They look mighty dangerous outside, especially with a class finisher on board in Ieuan Evans, and young Matt Perry could set The Rec alight in any number of back line positions. Are they good enough up front, though? If they recapture the old mean streak at the sharp end, they'll take some stopping.

Significant arrivals: Ieuan Evans (Llanelli), Mark Regan (Bristol), Russell Earnshaw (West Hartlepool).

Fond farewells: Ian Sanders (Gloucester), Graham Dawe (Sale), Neil McCarthy (Gloucester).

Prediction: Obvious title candidates.

BRISTOL

Director of rugby: Alan Davies.

Captain: Robert Jones.

Oh dear. Bristol's regular flirtation with relegation could easily develop into something more lasting, thanks to another rash of high-profile departures. It requires a suspension of disbelief to imagine them surviving the latest exodus. Michael Worsley is a useful addition at prop, but by leaving Orrell he has leapt straight from the frying pan into the fire.

Significant arrivals: Michael Worsley (Orrell), Kevin Dunn (Wasps), John Wakeford (Cardiff).

Fond farewells: Ralph Knibbs (Coventry), Mark Tainton (retired), Richard Smith (Sale), Mark Regan (Bath), David Hinkins (Bedford), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Martin Corry (Leicester), Craig Barrow (Exeter).

Prediction: Thank you and good night.

GLOUCESTER

Director of coaching: Richard Hill.

Captain: Pete Glanville.

The great English parochials have finally accepted that there is a big wide world beyond the Cotswolds. Philippe Saint-Andre and his brother Raphael have pitched up from France, Richie Tombs has flown in from Sydney and Terry Fanolua has arrived from the South Sea islands. As a result, they have some sort of back division to go with that bone-crunching pack.

Significant arrivals: Philippe Saint-Andre, Raphael Saint-Andre (Montferrand), Richie Tombs (NSW), Terry Fanolua (W Samoa), Ian Sanders (Bath), Neil McCarthy (Bath), Andrew Gibbs (Northland, NZ).

Fond farewells: Paul Holford (Worcester), Eral Anderson (Stourbridge), Don Caskie (Cheltenham), John Hawker (Cheltenham).

Prediction: Mid-table awkward squad.

HARLEQUINS

Director of rugby: Andy Keast.

Captain: Keith Wood.

Andy Keast is a sharp operator, an ideas man with first-hand knowledge of the ultra-modern brand of rugby employed by the Lions. He also has class acts in most positions - Quins will be quick out wide, strong in the middle, serviceable at half-back and with Keith Wood in the pack, they might well be a handful up front, too. They do not, however, look consistent enough to challenge for the Premiership. Knock-out champions? Every chance.

Significant arrivals: Rob Hitchmough (Orrell), Laurent Belligoi (Bourgoin), Johnny Ngauamo (Tonga), Rob Liley (Leicester), Massimo Cuttitta (Milan).

Fond farewells: Dominic Chapman (Richmond), Andy Mullins (retired), Mick Watson (London Scottish).

Prediction: Top six but maybe not top four.

LEICESTER

Director of coaching: Bob Dwyer.

Captain: Martin Johnson.

Huge strength in depth, with newcomers Serevi, Vunibaka, Van Heerden and Corry all in the international class. Last season, their triple dream imploded under the weight of a thousand injuries, but they are now equipped to survive the buffeting. Dwyer is still not convinced that his all-England front row are as sharp as they might be, but his back five are the best around and Joel Stransky remains a diamond.

Significant arrivals: Wai sale Serevi (Fiji), Marika Vunibaka (Fiji), Fritz van Heerden (W Province, SA), Martin Corry (Bristol).

Fond farewells: John Liley (Moseley), Steve Hackney (Moseley), Rory Underwood (Bedford), Rob Liley (Harlequins), Aadel Kardooni (Bedford).

Prediction: Top three at the very least.

LONDON IRISH

Director of rugby: Willie Anderson.

Captain: Conor O'Shea.

Willie Anderson has worked a minor miracle to keep hold of Jeremy Davidson after the second row's breathtaking rise to world- class status during the historic Lions tour of South Africa and if Gabriel Fulcher rediscovers some real form, the Exiles will have an engine room that other clubs would die for. That, though, is where it rests. Niall Hogan and David Humphreys may do the business in their very different ways, but enthusiasm is unlikely to carry the day sufficiently regularly enough to keep the wolf from the door. It looks like being a long, hard slog.

Significant arrival: Mark McCall (Dungannon).

Fond farewell: Nigel Richardson (Worcester).

Prediction: Tears before bedtime.

NEWCASTLE

Director of rugby: Rob Andrew.

Captain: Dean Ryan.

The acid test. Sir John Hall's millions were the driving force behind Newcastle's promotion and the Geordies remain the very personification of rugby's thoroughly modern nouveau riche brigade. Saint Rob looks fresh, fit and eager for a last hurrah in the top flight and his know-how should bring out the best in Stimpson, Bentley, Tait, Underwood and Tuigamala - a truly exceptional back division. But where will the ball come from? Problems up front suggest a curate's egg season.

Significant arrivals: Jim Naylor (Orrell), Jonathan Wilkinson (England Schools).

Fond farewells: Andrew Blyth (Northampton), Matt Tetlow (Sale), Matt Long (Worcester).

Prediction: Close to Europe but not close enough.

NORTHAMPTON

Director of rugby: Ian McGeechan.

Captain: Tim Rodber.

Another club with pace and vision outside, but a shortage of muscle where it matters most. Ian McGeechan's crafty approach with the Lions in South Africa confirmed the suspicion that in rugby, it is possible to make decent- sized bricks with a minimum of straw. There are major differences between Saints and Lions, though, and it will take all of McGeechan's remarkable ingenuity and some blinding performances from the likes of Gregor Townsend, Nick Beal and Tim Rodber to give the Midlanders even a sniff of glory.

Significant arrival: Andrew Blyth (Newcastle).

Fond farewell: Michael Dods (Gala).

Prediction: One or two golden days but, ultimately, mid-table obscurity.

RICHMOND

Director of rugby: John Kingston.

Captain: Ben Clarke.

The back row of Ben Clarke, Scott Quinnell and the Puma open-side, Rolando Martin, will be very nearly as good as Leicester's trio, and in Barry Williams, Richmond have captured a hooker of rich talent. Allan Bateman's class should ensure some big moments out wide and it would be just like Matt Pini, Australia's discarded full-back, to take out his frustrations on the English. Useful.

Significant arrivals: Matthew Pini (Queensland), Dominic Chapman (Harlequins), Jason Wright (Otago), Augustin Pichot (San Isidro), Barry Williams (Neath), John Davies (Neath), Craig Gillies (Bath), Rolando Martin (San Isidro).

Fond farewells: Luke Jones (London Welsh), Steve Atherton (South Africa).

Prediction: A sound mid-table finish, perhaps better.

SALE

Player/coach: John Mitchell.

Captain: Jim Mallinder.

Mallinder's men are likely to perform out of their skins once again this season, if only to save themselves a tongue-lashing from the unforgiving Mr Mitchell. They are still short of genuine reserve strength, however, and the big guns now know too much about the likes of Jos Baxendell and David Rees to allow Sale the kind of sucker-punch tries on which they built their top-four challenge last season. Lightweight up front, they may well flatter to deceive.

Significant arrivals: Shane Howarth (Auckland), Kevin Ellis (Widnes), Richard Smith (Bristol), Graham Dawe (Bath), Chris Murphy (West Hartlepool).

Fond farewells: Simon Verbickas (Orrell), Neil Ryan (Orrell), Dewi Morris (retired).

Prediction: Safe, but down a notch from last season.

SARACENS

Director of rugby: Mark Evans.

Coach: Francois Pienaar.

Captain: Tony Diprose.

It's now or never for Sarries. Pienaar, bursting with competitive adrenalin, will demand everything from a squad again bolstered by overseas signings and he can bank on a high-class back row and know-how at half-back. However, Michael Lynagh and Philippe Sella are heading down the far side of the mountain and Sarries need to make the most of their imported greats without further ado.

Significant arrivals: Ryan Constable (Queensland), Brad Free (Queensland), Brendon Daniel (Bay of Plenty), Danny Grewcock (Coventry).

Fond farewells: Andy Tunningley (retired), John Buckton (Barking), Mark Langley (London Welsh), John Green (Barking).

Prediction: Top four, but it could be tight.

WASPS

Director of rugby: Nigel Melville.

Coach: Rob Smith.

Captain: Lawrence Dallaglio.

Melville has recruited strongly in his area of greatest weakness - Simon Shaw and Mark Weedon are a big second-row partnership in more ways than one - and the champions' defensive expertise, allied to superior fitness, gives them every chance. Dallaglio is on a personal roll, Alex King is the cleverest outside-half in England and Will Green the brightest of prop forward prospects. A class outfit, cleverly coached and inspirationally led.

Significant arrivals: Trevor Leota (W Samoa), Mark Weedon (N Harbour, NZ), Simon Shaw (Bristol), Jon Ions (West Hartlepool).

Fond farewells: Kevin Dunn (Bristol), Matt Greenwood (Wakefield).

Prediction: Potential champions again.