2014/15 Season Preview: Sale

Sale

Nickname: Sharks

Founded: 1861

Years in Top Tier: 21

Last Year: 6^th in Prem (57 points), Amlin Challenge Cup Quarter Finals, Anglo Welsh Cup Group Stage

Europe: Champions Cup

Director of Rugby: Steve Diamond

Transfers:

In: Nathan Hines (Clermont), Chris Cuisiter (Glasgow), Alberto De Marchi (Treviso), Darren Fearn (Bedford), Luke McLean (Treviso), Magnus Lund (Biarritz), Shalva Mamukashvili (Armia-Georgia)

Out: Dwayne Peel (Bristol), Henry Thomas (Bath), James Gaskell (Wasps), Rob Miller (Wasps), Tom Holmes (Rotherham), Aston Croall (Blackheath), Tony Buckley (Kanturk), Krill Kulemin (Perpignan)

Ins: 7

Outs: 8

Sale were the surprise of last season finishing 6^th after barely avoiding relegation the season before.  The big news coming from Salford this season is a move to Saturday kick offs, in a the slightly odd 2pm slot rather than 3pm, which is great news for people who like their rugby in the day light and on the weekend.

Transfer wise Sale have been busy snaring 6 internationals plus Bedford’s highly regarded former Newcastle prop Darren Fearn.  Alberto De Marchi arrives from Treviso which will presumably signal Eifion Lewis-Roberts spending greater time on the tighthead side of the scrum.  In the engine room the quietly power Russian workhorse Kril Kulemin has been replaced by Wagga Wagga’s favourite Scotsman Nathan Hines. 

Magnus Lund returns from a 6 year spell at Biarritz, and if he can avoid the injuries that spoiled his final year he may well be the pick of the bunch.  Shalva Mamukashvili becomes the Premiership’s first Georgian following in footsteps of Moldovan Vadim Cobilas, Romanian Paulica Ion and a handful of Russian players in crossing the old Iron Curtain.

Sale’s season will mainly rest on the form of Danny Cipriani.  He is the sole play maker in the squad, were he to be injured Sale would have to rely on the more prosaic stylings of Nick Macleod.  Last year Cipriani was mostly excellent and a backs against the wall win at Bath pointed to the great team spirit, and sly scrum tactics, they posses.

Tuitupou & Leota provide plenty of impetus in the back line but not a huge amount of nous, whilst Viliami Fihaki impressed in patches last season and will look to replace Wasps bound James Gaskill at 8.

If Sale can win 4 out of their opening 6 league games they look set for European Champions Cup action once again, but a European pool containing Clermont, Munster and Saracens will drain the batteries of a small squad.

Prediction: 8^th

2014/15 Season Preview: London Welsh

London Welsh

Nickname: The Exiles

Founded: 1885

Years in Top Tier: 1

Last Year: Greene King IPA Championship Champions, British & Irish Cup group stage

Europe: Challenge Cup

Director of Rugby: Justin Burnell

Transfers:

In: Piri Weepu (Auckland Blues), Olly Barkley (Llanelli), Tim Molenaar (Harlequins), Dean Schofield (Worcester),Tristan Roberts (Bristol), Chris Elder (Plymouth Albion), Nick Reynolds (Llanelli), Ricky Reeves (Wasps), Taione Vea (Wasps), Shane Cahill (Cornish Pirates), Jack Gilding (Viadana), Nathan Taylor (Hartpury College), Jimmy Litchfield (Hartpury College), James Sandford (Cornish Pirates), Cameron Goodhue (Worcester), Paul Rowley (Plymouth Albion), Jesse Liston (Blackheath), Josh McNally (Henley), Koree Britton (Gloucester), Darren Waters (Newport), Lachlan McCaffrey (ACT Brumbies), Pablo Henn (Limoges), Eddie Aholelei (Melbourne Rebels), James Down (Cardiff Blues), Ben Cooper (Bedford)

Out: Mitch Lees (Exeter), Tyson Keats (Unknown), Peter Edwards (Llanelli), Sonny Parker (Retirement), Cai Griffiths (Ospreys), Billy Moss (Unknown), Paddy Ryan (Unknown), James Tideswell (Leeds), Joe Ajuwa (Rosslyn Park), Ollie Frost (Unknown), Toby L’Estrange (Unknown), Hudson Tonga’uiha (Unknown), Mike Denbee (Unknown), John Quill (Unknown), Rob Andrew (Unknown), Kevin Davis (Ealing), Ian Nimmo (Unknown)

Ins: 25

Outs: 18

Welsh bounced straight back to the Premiership, beating Bristol 48-28 on aggregate, becoming the 7^th team in 9 years to achieve that feat.  Playing again at the Kassam Stadium in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, this time they have not had to go through a damaging off season lawsuit.  Or at least not to gain promotion.

This is not the same Welsh side that graced the Premiership two seasons ago.  Lyn Jones has gone to Newport and been replaced by former Cardiff forwards coach Justin Burnell, his honest appraisals and no nonsense style has already garnered many fans and he is assisted by the ever popular Ollie Smith.

There is no debate that the major Welsh signing has been World Cup winner Piri Weepu.  His health is a worry, reportedly suffering a stroke in March, but his talent is undoubted.  A controlling boot and experienced goal kicker Weepu looks suited to the smash and grab style that Welsh will employ.

Much has been made of the 25 signings made by Welsh but realistically many are simply bodies to fill the LV and Challenge Cup fixtures.  Welsh look thin on quality in crucial places like prop and fly half and won’t be helped by flanker Carl Kirwin missing the opening stages with injury.  Kirwin was a star of the promotion push and will surely be around the Premiership for a long time to come.

Unfortunately I can’t say the same for Welsh.  I don’t see where more than 3 or 4 games this season can be won and don’t think it will be enough to keep them up.

Prediction: 12^th

2014/15 Season Preview: Bath

Bath

Founded: 1865

Years in Top Tier: 27

Last Year: 5^th in Prem (67 points), Amlin Challenge Cup beaten Finalists, Anglo Welsh Cup Semi finalists

Europe: Champions Cup

Director of Rugby: Mike Ford

Transfers:

In: Henry Thomas (Sale), Nick Auterac (Saracens), Sam Burgess (South Sydney RL), Luke Arscott (Exeter), Grant Sheills (Bath)

Out: Anthony Perenise (Bristol), Nick Adendanon (Clermont Auvergne), Josh Ovens (Retirement), Nick Koster (Bristol), Charlie Beech (Leeds), Tom Briggs (Worcester), Eusebio Guinazu (Unknown), Tom Heathcote (Edinburgh), Martin Roberts (Ospreys)

Ins: 5

Outs: 9

Bath are due to enter their sesquicentenary celebrations at the end of this season, what is a sesquincentenary you ask?  Obviously it is a 150^th anniversary.  Apparently.  Amusingly the word appears to be almost 90 years younger than Bath Football Club its self.  Never mind.

Bath pretty much lived up to my expectations last year, starting well and their forwards providing enough grunt in the winter they fell away in the second half of the season and were pipped at the post by Quins for the final playoff spot.

Most of the off season work has been tinkering around the edges of the squad with Nick Abendanon and Anthony Perenise the only major leavers.  Perenise has been replaced by local Bath boy Henry Thomas whilst Luke Arscott’s surprise exit from Exeter covers Abendanon’s departure to France.

Bath’s pack remains a fearsome weapon and at times last season we saw the back line begin to motor.  With Ford pulling the strings the likes of Devoto, Eastmond and Watson were free to wreak havoc.

The major signing is league’s Sam Burgess, apparently as a centre despite being a prop or lock in the 13 man game.  A Brad Thorn-esque switch to the pack makes more sense to me.  Burgess could well be a major disruptive influence to a Bath side that seemed on the edge of igniting, the pressure from the media and the meddling of Lancaster will likely see him pressed into action too soon and seemingly at centre disrupting the burgeoning Ford-Eastmond-Devoto axis.

A tough opening spell where they face Leicester, Northampton and Saracens in consecutive weeks may well prove to be the difference between 5^th and 4^th for the West Country men who still look at least one more year away from ending their 19 year title drought.

Prediction: 4^th

2014/15 Season Preview: London Irish

London Irish

Nickname: The Exiles

Founded: 1898

Years in Top Tier: 21

Last Year: 10^th in Prem (36 Points), Group Stage in Amlin Challenge Cup & Anglo-Welsh Cup

Europe: Challenge Cup

Director of Rugby: Brian Smith

Transfers:

In: Tom Court (Ulster), Luke Narraway (Perpignan), Tom Guest (Harlequins), Eoin Griffin (Connacht), James Short (Saracens(Wasps Loan)), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Sean Cox (Edinburgh), Dan Leo (Perpignan), Scott Steele (Leicester), Conor Gilsenan (Leinster), Chris Noakes (Auckland Blues)

Out: Marland Yarde (Harlequins), James O’Connor (Toulon), Declan Danaher (Retirement), Ian Gough (Newport), Ian Humphreys (Ulster), Chris Halaufia (Llanelli), John Yapp (Wasps), Setaimata Sa (Hull FC RL), Bryn Evans (Biarritz), Sailosi Tagicakibau (Wasps), Jon Fisher (Northampton-Trial), Pat Phibbs (Unknown)

Ins: 11

Outs: 10

Irish supremeo Brian Smith came out at the Premiership’s launch last week with the vow that Irish “want to challenge for silverware”.  Well you can’t fault the man for ambition.

To be fair he did qualify that we was looking to compete for the LV Cup and for the Challenge Cup, rather than some heady claim to be a top four force just yet.  For a long time last season Irish were embroiled in the relegation dog fight and were tipped for the drop by this very blog but a strong second half of the season extinguished any danger. The Rugby Paper has them for the drop season.

The Exiles have suffered some serious losses this summer with their two best players moving on; Marlon Yarde has decamped across London for Harlequins while James O’Conner is having a brief sojourn with Toulon before rejoining the Queensland Reds. 

Also moving on our players like Danaher, Halaufia and Tagicakibau who have been mainstays of the side for a number of years.

Some serious beef has been imported up front with accidental Lion Tom Court, Geoff Cross and Tom Guest singing plus Perpignan pair Luke Narraway and Dan Leo.  In the backs the most important signing will be Chris Noakes the kiwi fly half, if he can establish himself then Shane Geraghty will be free to be a secondary play maker in the centres, his most effective role.

Without a dominant home fortress Irish will always be vulnerable to a slide in fortunes but last season they seemed to have turned a corner.  With a reliable goal kicker in Homer, a decent looking pack and an ambitious mindset Irish look set to continue in lower mid table with the ability to surprise the bigger sides as Saracens found to their cost last season.

Prediction: 10^th

2014/15 Season Preview: Wasps

Wasps

Founded: 1867

Years in Top Tier: 27

Last Year: 7^th in Prem (49 points), Semi Finals of Amlin Challenge Cup, Group Stage Anglo-Welsh

Europe: Champions Cup

Director of Rugby: Dai Young

Transfers

In: Bradley Davies (Cardiff), James Gaskell (Sale), Rob Miller (Sale), Lorenzo Cittadini (Treviso), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow), Alapati Leiua (Wellington Hurricanes), Ed Shervington (Worcester), Buster Lawrence (Moseley), Thomas Young (Gloucester), Alex Lozowski (Leeds), John Yapp (London Irish), Sailosi Tagicackibau (London Irish)

Out: Neil Cochrane (Edinburgh) James Short (Loan Ends-London Irish), Tom Palmer (Gloucester), Harry Williams (Jersey), Tommy Bell (Jersey), Matt Everard (Nottingham), Estaban Lozada (Unknown), Ricky Reeves (London Welsh), Taione Vea (London Welsh), Brett Sheehan (Narbonne), Andrew Suniula (Unknown), Liam O’Neil (Nottingham), Joe Carlisle (Treviso), Rory Pittman (Llanelli), Charlie Hayter (England 7s)

Ins: 12

Outs: 15

Wasps sealed their place in the Champions Cup with a 50-35 aggregate victory over Stade Francais after finishing 7^th in the Premiership.  Injuries took their main wing threats Wade and Varndell for practically all of last season, so with both now restored for full fitness surely the only way is up for the sensibly rechristened Wasps?

New signings Lorenzo Cittadini and Bradley Davies are top quality operators in the tight five adding to a unit with a growing reputation.  Last season Cooper-Woolley was a revelation in the front row after joining straight from university rugby whilst half Fijian half Samoan number 8 Nathan Hughes is mulling over which international ring to throw his hat in.

In the backline they have added the exciting Alapatu Leiua from Wellington and Rob Miller from Sale, with Varndell, Wade and Masi already in tow and Andy Goode to pull the strings they have a dangerous backline for the drier months with firmer pitches.

But Wasps have a habit of finding the problems.  With a vocal group of fans unhappy with Wycombe and wanting a return to London the powers that be are instead rumoured to be in talks with the Ricoh Arena of Coventry! 

Were this to come to pass, and journalist Neil Fissler is adamant it will, it would cause huge disruption to the team as surely there would be protests from fans and dissent from players who signed for a London club?  Whether they would re-brand again as Coventry Wasps, or perhaps Holbrooks Hornets, we will have to wait to find out.

No major leavers, a settled coaching team, key players returning to fitness and a sprinkling of top signings means that Wasps should be well placed to press onto the top 6, if not quite the play offs.  But I just can’t see it.

Prediction: 7^th

2014/15 Season Preview: Northampton

Northampton

Nickname: Saints

Founded: 1880

Years in Top Tier: 22

Last Year: Champions (2^nd in Prem 75 points), Group Stage Heineken Cup, Amlin Challenge Cup Champions, Anglo-Welsh Cup beaten Finalists

Europe: Heineken Cup

Director of Rugby: Jim Mallinder

Transfers:

In: Joel Hodgson (Newcastle), Jon Fisher (London Irish)

Out: GJ Van Velze (Worcester), Tom Warren (Moseley), Ryan Glynn (Jersey), Paul Diggin (Retirement), Fa’atoina Autagavaia (Nevers), Rob Verbakel (Unknown)

Ins: 2

Outs: 6

“Northampton has once again opened up their cheque book to attract the star names that they hope will lead them to a first ever English title.” So started last year’s preview.  Well fair play to them it worked.

Northampton became the 8^th side to earn the right to call themselves English Champions when local boy Alex Waller burrowed over in the last minute of extra time in a pulsating final.  Saracens may well quibble several interventions from the TMO but now the dust has settled and its Northampton that will forever be engraved as 2014 Premiership winners.

After last summer’s mega moves this has been a quieter affair, two squad players brought in and two squad players in Van Velze and Diggin leave, the others barely featured.  With Alex Corbiseiro allegedly fit and well he may break his current Premiership records of starts in a season, which is currently 6.  Lions hero he might be, durable he certainly isn’t.

In previous years Northampton have been remarkably consistent, before last year finishing 4^th three years in a row, with the exact same number of points too; I see nothing in their summer moves to change that.  The Champions tag may be a heavy burden for them to bear but the manner of victory has to instil a huge amount of belief; just like before they will be consistent but at this new higher level.

Last year Tigers finished 3^rd with a record points tally and I feel that one of Tigers, Saints and Sarries is bound to repeat that feat; the top of the table looks so tight and congested that 75 points might not be enough this year. 

Northampton are vulnerable to a nagging injury to Stephen Myler, one that would keep him out but not for long enough to sign an injury dispensation case, that is the only way I can see them falling below 3^rd.

Prediction: A very close 3^rd (Look, you want impartial analysis you’ve come to the wrong place!)

2014/15 Season Preview: Gloucester

Gloucester

Nickname: Cherry & Whites

Founded: 1873

Years in Top Tier: 27

Last Year: 9^th in Prem (44 points), Group Stage Heineken Cup, Quarter Finals in Amlin Challenge Cup, Group Stage in Anglo-Welsh Cup

Europe: Champions Cup

Director of Rugby: David Humphreys

Transfers:

In: James Hook (Perpignan), John Afoa (Ulster), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Tom Palmer (Wasps), Greg Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Mariano Galarza (Worcester), Tom Isaacs (Ospreys), Aled Thomas (Llanelli), Mark Atkinson (Bedford), Steve McColl (Leeds), James Voss (Jersey), Jacob Rowan (Leeds), Henry Purdy (Leicester), Callum Braley (Bristol), Aleki Lutui (Edinburgh)

Out: Freddie Burns (Leicester), Matt Cox (Worcester), Ryan Mills (Worcester), Tavis Knoyle (Cardiff), Andy Hazell (Retirement), Akapusi Qera (In Season-Toulouse), Tim Taylor (Retirement), Will James (Retirement), Jimmy Cowan (Tasman), Dan George (Worcester), Huia Edmonds (Narbonne), Mike Tindall (Retirement), Thomas Young (Wasps), Jonny Bentley (Jersey), Rupert Harden (Treviso), Koree Britton (London Welsh)

Ins: 15

Outs: 16

A disastrous 2013/14 season has seen a huge amount of change at Kingsholm.  Nigel Davies has been sacked, replaced by David Humphreys, and a raft of new coaches and players brought in.  Former Munster coach Laurie Fisher joins John Muggleton, England age group supremo Nick Walshe and Trevor Woodman in a new look brains trust. 

On the field the cash has truly been splashed.  Last season their scrum was appalling so riding to the rescue are Richard “my eyes” Hibbard and John Afoa from Ospreys and Ulster respectively.  Providing ballast at lock is Worcester’s Mariano Galarza & Wasps’ veteran Tom Palmer.  A cheeky bit of depth at hooker is provided by former Worcester man Aleki Lutui, he might be almost 36 but he was always a threat for Worcester.

Outside of the pack the Cherry ‘n’ Whites have signed two outstanding half backs.  Greg Laidlaw comes in from Edinburgh, principally at scrum half but he is more than capable at 10, and James Hook returns to Britain after a spell at Perpignan that ended with the Catalan giant’s first relegation after more than a century of top tier rugby.

They also appear to have picked up a few rough diamonds under the radar.  Keep an eye out for Mark Atkinson the 6”5’ former Bedford centre.

The new signings should shore up the pack but Gloucester will take time to gel their new decision makers and coaches together.  Trips to Newcastle and Irish in the Autumn Internationals will be crucial for any play off ambitions whilst visits to Sale, Quins and Bath in the final 5 rounds, with the Rec on the final day, should decide Champions Cup qualification.

Prediction: 6^th