Summer Transfers Ultimate XV

As the new Aviva Premiership season draws ever closer, the clubs have been busy with their cheque books.

We have seen an unprecedented number of World stars coming to England to ply their trade as well as big names moving to their Premiership rivals, lets see just how good a side could be with the best of the bunch.

1 Ellis Genge (Leicester) - The young abrasive prop joins Leister full-time from newly promoted Bristol having been on loan with the midlands powerhouse for the end of last season His impressive form saw him receive a shock call up to Eddie Jones’ England squad and will no doubt be a stand out player of this season. 

2 Tommy Taylor (Wasps) - One of the many shrewd purchases by the men at the Ricoh. Taylor joins from Sale where he has made a name for himself as the archetypal modern hooker, playing almost as an extra backorder with big carries and a strong presence in the breakdown.

3 Halani Aulika (Sale) - One of the London Irish leavers following their relegation. The last few seasons have seen the Tongan struggle to find his impressive form of his first year in the Premiership. But a change of scenery could be just what is needed and if Steve Diamond can unlock the props full potential the Tongan Try Scoring Terror can dominate matches.

4 Matt Symons (Wasps) - A mother Irish exile. Symons came to England with a high reputation and the former Chiefs lock didn’t disappoint. An incredible engine, huge defensive work and a real leader.

5 Luke Charteris (Bath) - A great signing from Bath, Chateris comes over from France having proven himself as one of Europe’s top locks. Expect big things from the welshman.

6 Taulupe Faletau (Bath) - Another Welshman moving to the west country. Falatau is regarded by many as one of World Rugby’s top players and at just 25 he has a lot of rugby to go. Great over the ball and soft hands he could be the link man that Bath lacked last year.

7 Schalk Burger (Saracens) - A massive statement from the double champions of last season. Burger is one of the all time legends of the game. A veteran at 33 but his final game at Newlands proved just how much he still has to give

8 Louis Picamoles (Saints) - Bulldozer. Saints will not be short of go forward with  he french eight packing down. Impossible to stop and has a great skill set tucked up his large sleeves and will be central to Jim Mallinder’s plans.

9 Kahn Fotuali'i (Bath) - The samoan playmaker has been central to all that has been great about the Saints over the past few seasons, helping them to the Premiership title in 2014. However, his powers have wayned recently and a move to the West Country could be just what is needed to rejuvenate the 33 year old.

10 Danny Cipriani (Wasps) - Homecoming for Ciprianini. He exploded onto the scene for Wasps before his horrific injury. multiple transfers and alterations off the pitch saw the playmaker have a tricky few years. He rebound himself under Diamond at Sale and is close to being back to his best. it seems fitting that a player with so much talent is returning to where it all started, one last role of the dice perhaps? Someone call Hollywood..

11 Wilie Le Roux (Wasps) - As far as injury cover goes, you can’t get much better. After Wasps lost new signing Kurtly Beale for the season the Springbok quickly filled the hole. The 2014 South African Players Association player of the year is versatile, able to play all a cross the backline and has a natural eye for the try line, not bad cover.

12 Ollie Devoto (Exeter) - Rob Baxter is proving to be somewhat of a master in the transfer market. in the past he has taken discarded older players and rejuvenated them back to their best. This time he has committed daylight robbery against one of his closest rivals. Devoto had his breakthrough year last season, after being a stand out performer for Bath he got his England call up. This is just the beginning for the young man and will no doubt be a central figure for Exeter.

13 Matt Toomua (Leicester) - A massive statement of intent from the Tigers who are building an incredible squad. Tamooa was the stand out performer for Australia in the final test of England’s tour of Australia, creating endless attacking opportunities and carving up England’s impressive defence. A world class player who will set the Premiership alight

14 JP Pietersen (Leicester) - Another statement from the Tigers, the Springbok flyer will like up with Peter Betham, Tamooa and Manu Tuilagi to form an impressive backline. Peterson has built a career off being an out and out finisher and the speedster will no doubt be mixing it with the Thomas Waldroms in the try scoring tables…

15 Sean Maitland (Saracens) - Maitland is another of the big names to leave Irish following their relegation and will is a great addition to the double champions squad. Not his strongest season last year but we all know what the Scot is capable of. It is likely he will be used more as cover due to his versatility to play across the back three and it is unlikely that he will usurp last seasons Player of the Year Alex Goode from the Sarries 15 shirt.