TRU’s 2025/26 Prem Rugby Guide: Can anyone topple Bath?
The champions had serious firepower last term but Bath have strengthened again
©Onside Images - Bath Rugby
It’s hard to look beyond reigning champions Bath as favourites to retain their crown but can challengers such as the Bristol Bears, Sale Sharks, and Saracens topple them? Here is our guide to the new 'Prem Rugby' season...
Bath
Champions last season, Bath look best placed to defend their crown. With Ollie Lawrence fit again, you can argue they’re stronger than the side that lifted the trophy back in June. Finn Russell remains their heartbeat, though his workload needs careful management after a packed 2024/25.
The arrivals of Henry Arundell and Santiago Carreras make an already dangerous backline even scarier. They undoubtedly start the season as favourites.
Leicester Tigers
Last season's silver medalists, but a new era - again - at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. Out goes Michael Cheika and in comes Geoff Parling. Several stalwarts - Handrè Pollard, Julian Montoya, Dan Cole, Ben Youngs, Mike Brown - have moved on, leaving a leadership gap and a sense of 'transition' in the Midlands.
England and British and Irish Lions lock Ollie Chessum has been appointed club captain. As for new arrivals, James O’Connor’s visit was fleeting as he has returned to Australia to start at fly-half in Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand, but he will be back.
Bristol Bears
Bristol reached the semi-finals last season, and their recruitment makes them even more exciting this time around.
Louis Rees-Zammit is the star signing and will draw most of the attention, while Tom Jordan looks capable of steering the side at fly-half. Ellis Genge continues to lead from the front, but for Pat Lam’s squad the challenge remains the same: marrying their trademark attacking flair with the control needed to carry them all the way to the final.
Sale Sharks
As journalist Will Kelleher noted on The Times' The Ruck podcast this week, if Sale are going to lift the Premiership title, the time needs to be soon.
After four top-four finishes in their last five seasons, their consistency is unquestionable but they need to turn it into silverware. In recent seasons, the Sharks have found their stride after Christmas, yet they’ll want to avoid leaving themselves with too much to do this time, especially with Gloucester first up on Thursday night.
Recruitment has been light, though rising stars Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Nathan Jibulu look ready to make their mark. Ernst van Rhyn takes over as captain, while Ben Curry’s game time will be carefully managed around other duties. His brother Tom remains sidelined until after the autumn internationals as he recovers from a wrist injury.
Gloucester
As mentioned, Sale’s opening night opponents are Gloucester, who, for all their flair last season, will be looking to add more grit this time around.
The new half-back pairing of Ross Byrne and Tomos Williams will be central to their direction, while rising prospects Seb Atkinson and Afo Fasogbon are poised for bigger roles. Summer recruits Will Joseph and Ben Loader bring further pace and cutting-edge. If Gloucester can marry style with substance, they could be a real threat.
Saracens
With Owen Farrell returning and Max Malins back in the fold, Saracens look refreshed after a patchy 2024/25.
Their back row is arguably the league’s best, featuring Ben Earl, Juan Martín González, Tom Willis and Andy Onyeama-Christie, who last year all displayed their unstoppable qualities.
Mark McCall is still hungry, and with Maro Itoje and other Lions managed carefully, Saracens will again be among the frontrunners.
Harlequins
With Danny Wilson departing for Wales, Harlequins have reshaped their coaching team. Jason Gilmore steps in as Senior Coach, joined by former Ospreys boss Toby Booth as Forwards Consultant, alongside Nick Evans and Adam Jones. Their challenge is clear: to rebuild a side now missing long-time leaders such as Danny Care and Joe Marler.
The pack has been refreshed, but leadership looks light. Marcus Smith will again be the focal point, balancing club and international ambitions, yet he cannot carry Quins alone. After finishing seventh last season, a similar outcome in 2025/26 feels likely.
Northampton Saints
While Northampton flew the flag in Europe for 'Prem Rugby' last term, the defence of their title was arguably non-existent.
Over the summer, Phil Dowson has added bulk with Danilo Fischetti and Callum Chick moving to the Midlands. Rising star Henry Pollock faces the classic second-season test, while Lions trio Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman will again be central. With George Furbank back fit, Saints have flair but need greater grit.
Exeter Chiefs
Last season was one to forget for Exeter, but Rob Baxter has tightened the reins and reshaped his staff after a turbulent year.
The signings of Wallabies Tom Hooper and Len Ikitau look increasingly shrewd, while Manny Feyi-Waboso’s return adds spark and excitement.
Depth at half-back remains a concern, but if Exeter rediscover the forward bite on which they built past successes on, they could re-establish themselves in the playoff picture.
Newcastle
And last but certainly not least, Newcastle.
The Red Bull takeover has lifted spirits in the North-East, and while recruitment time was limited, the Falcons have still secured eye-catching additions in Liam Williams, Amanaki Mafi, Tom Christie, and the returning Christian Wade.
Supporters will have to wait until December to see Wade, as he completes his Super League commitments with Wigan, but overall this is a squad that should be far more competitive than in recent seasons.
