In the final article of my 3 part series, I analyse 4 more Premiership clubs and their summer transfers, as well as predicted lineups.

Sale Sharks

Small but very significant. That pretty much sums up Sale’s intake for the incoming season. Let’s go have a look:

Key Transfers In:
I think it’s pretty obvious that the key signing for the Sharks is definitely Chris Ashton. Going back to the city that launched his Rugby League career before he hopped codes, Ashton is joining a club already rich in the back 3 as he looks to reignite his stagnant England career. After a series of controversial suspensions and a record-making trip to Toulon, Ashton has returned to England for a chance to play in the next year’s World Cup – a chance he has already potentially blown thanks to a 7-week suspension for a tip-tackle in last week’s pre-season friendly.

We all know of the ‘Splash’ but what is key to Ashton’s brilliance is his tracking off the ball – currently only Tigers wing Jonah Holmes is as good as Ashton at running support lines. If he doesn’t concentrate too much on England and actually focuses on representing his club as well, I’m sure that the Ash the Splash that we know and love will be flying high in Sale colours.

Key Transfers Out
In the backs, Sale will miss the ingenuity and footwork of Mike Haley and the leadership and skill of Will Addison while in the forwards, the pack will be missing the impact and destructiveness of Samoan TJ Ioane who was a club favourite in his three years at Sale.

How will this affect their 1st choice XV?

The departures of Ioane, Addison and Haley do considerably change Sale’s ideal 1st team as well as the arrival of Ashton and Rohan Janse van Rensburg boosting Sale’s options in a pretty tasty backline, but they remain relatively bare in the front row:

1. Ross Harrison
2. Rob Webber
3. WillGriff John
4. Josh Beaumont
5. James Philips
6. Jono Ross (c)
7. Tom Curry
8. Josh Strauss
9. Faf de Klerk
10. James O’Connor
11. Chris Ashton
12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
13. Johnny Leota
14. Denny Solomona
15. Byron McGuigan

Saracens

Despite winning the league, I think some Saracens fans will be disappointed by the inconsistency last season, the home thumpings by Clermont and Tigers particulary hit hard. However a return to American kit suppliers Nike (which has been incredibly popular amongst rugby fans in general), a title win in the Premiership 7s and the success stories of even more U20 internationals all suggest that the Saracens machine is still running.

Key Transfers In:

There were only three signings this summer, and I’m going to talk about two. Obviously, the return of David Strettle, a player absolutely wasted at international level (thank you, Stuart Lancaster), will send Sarries fans into overdrive. Even at 35, his last 3 seasons at Clermont have proved he’s still got what it takes. The other key signing has been winger Alex Lexington from relegated London Irish, the young man comes in with a reputation for outstanding finishing but definitely needs some work on his defence. Fitting then, that he goes to the club with one of the best defences in recent years in Europe to improve in that area.

Key Transfers Out:

The supposed retirement/departure of Schalk Brits will have hit Barnet and Premiership Rugby incredibly hard, such was his impact on the European Game in the last decade. The retirement of longtime servant, American Chris Wyles will also cause some sadness, but the retirement of him and the departure of Nathan Earle has been made up by the arrivals of Lewington and Strettle.

How will this affect their 1st choice XV?

The departure of Wyles and Brits will affect the squad, and I don’t think Lewington will break into the 1st team straight away with his defensive woes. I can also see U20 star lock Joel Kpoku breaking into the team later on in the season and really spell the end of George Kruis’ international career and possibly his career as a Saracen:

1. Mako Vunipola
2. Jamie George
3. Vincent Koch
4. Maro Itoje
5. Nick Isiekwe
6. Michael Rhodes
7. Schalk Burger
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Ben Spencer
10. Owen Farrell
11. Sean Maitland
12. Brad Barritt (c)
13. Alex Lozowski
14. Liam Williams
15. Alex Goode

Wasps

It was also a bit of a slightly disappointing season for the Coventry-based club, a surprise home defeat to Harlequins coupled with an injury to Danny Cipriani culminated in a dramatic dip in form which meant they didn’t qualify from their pool in Europe and although they recovered to finish 3rd, they suffered to an embarrassing semi-final defeat to Saracens. Initial recruitment looks strong but you do have to question Wasps’ depth and rumours circulate still around their financial position, scrupulously denied but the fact remains that their lease on the Ricoh is nearly up for renewal and the legality of the sale is being questioned. This year is make or break for Wasps, they have to win the Premiership or else!

Key Transfers In:
Three signings stand out from Wasps’ 14-man intake for the incoming season. Lima Sopoaga is the marquee signing, a direct replacement for the departed Danny Cipriani. He’s a talented and pragmatic playmaker, and while will take a bit to settle in I think could really spark some magic for Wasps and ignite their potent backline. The other key transfers are in the backrow, South African international Nizaam Carr, who shone in his short loan stint for Wasps last season, has returned in a long-term deal. He is perhaps one of the best support runner No 8s in the game so I’m really looking forward to seeing him again and could easily displace Nathan Hughes. While also in the forwards, Brad Shields from the Hurricanes has joined, he adds workrate, leadership and sturdy defensive abilities to the club and I look forward to seeing more of him in a Wasps shirt and perhaps again in an England one too.

Key Transfers Out:
Both the transfers out are morale-hitting ones, especially since the two are stalwarts of the club. James Haskell, bar his 2-year tour of the world, has pretty much been with the club through thick and thin and will be sorely missed. But not as much as Cipriani, he made Wasps tick, they were nothing without him and they will do well to succeed in the immediate aftermath as Sopoaga won’t arrive till the Southern Hemisphere season is over, around October time. However Wasps do have Gopperth as well as the up-and-coming Billy Searle to maintain ship in the meantime.

How does this affect their 1st choice XV?
I can see all three key signings as well as Georgian loosehead Zurab Zhvania and lock Charlie Matthews making an immediate impact when they arrive. I believe only Carr has arrived thus far and with le Roux with South Africa, it’ll be a while before we can see their actual 1st team on the field. Meanwhile, the absence of Haskell, Cipriani, Guy Thompson and Kyle Eastmond will be very notable but the Wasps recruitment team have done well to find very good replacements:

1. Zurab Zhvania
2. Tom Cruise
3. Jake Cooper-Woolley
4. Joe Launchbury (c)
5. Charlie Matthews
6. Brad Shields
7. Thomas Young
8. Nizaam Carr
9. Dan Robson
10. Lima Sopoaga
11. Elliot Daly
12. Jimmy Gopperth
13. Juan de Jongh
14. Christian Wade
15. Willie le Roux

Worcester Warriors

After an initial winless run, Worcester recovered notably with shock away victories at Leicester and Exeter whilst also picking up vital bonus points, ensuring that they were safely ahead of London Irish in terms of relegation. They will have to contend with the retirement of Captain Donncha O’Callaghan, Christian Scotland-Williamson converting to NFL as well as the loss of few key players to better-ranked clubs but they have recruited considerably well.

Key Transfers In:
Flyhalf Jono Lance has returned with a permanent deal after a stunning stint last season, he will add X-Factor and versatility to this Warriors squad. Also in the backs South African capped centre François Venter has been signed from the Cheetahs who is a prolific try scorer and is a great support runner. Meanwhile in the forwards to compensate for the loss of locks Scotland-Williamson, O’Callaghan and Will Spencer, big unit Michael Fatialofa has been signed from the Hurricanes and he will certainly add power and bulk to the Warriors pack.

Key Transfers Out:
The Warriors have been really unfortunate with other sides raiding their squad, both Will Spencer and David Denton will leave huge voids in the pack after joining the Tigers. O’Callaghan’s leadership and experience will not only be missed dearly by Worcester but also Rugby in general after being a phenomenal servant of the game for the last 20 years.

How will this affect their 1st choice XV?

1. Ethan Waller
2. Jack Singleton
3. Nick Schonert
4. Anton Bresler
5. Michael Fatialofa
6. Alafoti Fa’osiliva
7. Sam Lewis
8. GJ van Velse (c)
9. François Hougaard
10. Jono Lance
11. Josh Adams
12. François Venter
13. Ben Te’o
14. Bryce Heem
15. Chris Pennell

By Jacob Bassford (add me on Twitter @jacob_bassford and subscribe to my Youtube channel @FlyingG_Sports)