Saracens start hunt for third successive Premiership title

Following on from their Premiership and Champions Cup double of last season, Saracens will head into the new campaign once again as the team to beat in English rugby.

Head Coach Mark McCall has an assortment of riches to select from despite losing Charlie Hodgson and Jacques Burger to retirement, with the arrivals of South African Schalk Burger and Sean Maitland from recently relegated London Irish only adding to their powers. However, with many unanswered questions heading into the new season among other clubs, we could well see some surprises once the action returns to grounds around the country.

Saracens are already the 6/4 early favourites with bookmakers Coral for Premiership glory next year, partly due to the form of their England contingent Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, George Kruis and Billy and Mako Vunipola. Meanwhile, Saracens final opponents from last season Exeter Chiefs will be looking to continue their rapid development under Rob Baxter, having only joined the Premiership back in 2010. The Chiefs excited many fans with their brand of rugby last season, and the addition of England centre Ollie Devoto and Australian Greg Holmes will add to their strength in depth.

At the opposite end of the table, despite reaching the Premiership final two years ago, Bath suffered from a frustrating season at the Rec, eventually resulting in the dismissal of head coach Mike Ford. Although the club are yet to announce a successor to Ford, the arrivals of Welsh internationals Luke Charteris and Taulupe Faletau will surely bring a change in fortunes for the famous club. With Coral offering a full rugby betting schedule throughout the year, a free bet for the new season on Bath could well prove fruitful.

Bath’s West Country rivals Bristol make their long awaited return to the top flight this year, with Andy Robinson hoping to consolidate his teams position in the Premiership, in what is a fiercely competitive league. Bristol are likely to have a battle on their hands alongside Worcester and Newcastle among others.

Meanwhile, the financial wealth of Wasps has led to the return of fly half Danny Cipriani to the Ricoh Arena, as well as Australian Kurtley Beale and young England hooker Tommy Taylor. The ambition shown by Wasps over recent times could well see a change in the guard at the top of the game, starting this season.