With the new season of the Premiership kicking off next week, we take a look at the big names joining the league and a few bits of canny business done by clubs in the off-season.
MARQUEE NAMES
These are the guys with the pressure on their backs – tasked with reinvigorating a stagnated side or pushing them on that one step further to trophies.
Louis Picamoles (Northampton Saints)
This deal was actually done way back in November 2015, so you could be forgiven for forgetting about it. But the capture of the French No.8 is a serious statement of intent by Northampton – particularly as it represents a reversal of the usual channel hopping by rugby stars. It is fair to say that since Samu Manoa left for Toulon, Saints have missed the bruising go-forward he offered, not least because so much of their forward dominated game relies upon it. Expect Picamoles to be tasked with punching holes and dragging his side across the gain-line.
Matt Toomua (Leicester Tigers)
Down the road and Leicester have abandoned their usual cautious approach to throwing the cheque-book at big names. JP Pieterson is also joining them, but it is Toomua who represents the biggest coup. Particularly as he doesn’t fall under Australia’s 60-cap exemption, so he is effectively ruling himself out of international rugby. A complete no.12, he can act as a second playmaker to Burns or Williams, as well as having the power to carry himself. What this means for Manu Tuilagi will also be interesting as he operated at 12 more frequently last year with a view to taking the England shirt. However, with Toomua incoming, he is more likely to revert to his more-accustomed 13.
Also keep an eye on: Kurtley Beale (Wasps), Taulupe Faletau (Bath), Schalk Burger (Saracens), Ben Te’o (Worcester), Josh Charnley (Sale Sharks), Willie le Roux (Wasps).
SMART BUSINESS
Not all the guys signed will be household names, but there are several astute signatures collected by clubs – ones that may have flown under the radar but could make all the difference come May 2017.
Alex Lozowski (Saracens)
What’s the problem with having Owen Farrell as your chief flyhalf? He is going to spend half the season away with the national side. That wasn’t such a problem when you had the wise old head of Charlie Hodgson to fall back on, but following his retirement Saracens needed someone else to deputise. Lozowski is a talented young flyhalf but has spent the last couple of seasons at Wasps kicking his heels behind Andy Goode and Jimmy Gopperth – this is his opportunity and I expect him to take it. Behind as monstrous a pack as Saracens he will have all the good ball he could want, the only challenge may be adapting to Saracens particular style.
AJ MacGinty (Sale Sharks)
Another flyhalf here and one tasked with filling the mercurial shoes of Cipriani. US international, AJ MacGinty may not be familiar to those that don’t keep one eye across the water at the goings-on in Ireland. However, you can’t have failed to notice Connacht’s remarkable success story last season and MacGinty was integral to that. A smart signing by Sale, who knew they were unlikely to attract a name the size of Cipriani, and one who should keep the side punching above their weight in the top half of the table.
Also keep an eye on: Tommy Taylor (Wasps), Luke Arscott (Bristol), Vereniki Goneva (Newcastle Falcons), Matt Symons (Wasps).
BREAKTHROUGH STARS IN WAITING
A few young guys will also be poised and ready to seize their opportunity – a new club or promotion from the academy side should see game time on the bigger stages and a chance to impress.
Aaron Morris (Harlequins)
Mike Brown is another guy expected to spend a lot of time away with the national setup, and with Ollie Lindsay Hague currently plying his trade at sevens, this could be Aaron Morris’ season. Making the trip across London from Saracens, Morris is a player with serious potential – he helped England win the Junior World Cup in 2014 – which alongside his ability to play across the back three, means you should expect to see him crossing the whitewash regularly this season.
Jack Walker (Bath)
Signed from Yorkshire Carnegie, where he became their youngest forward ever, and a 2014 Junior World Cup winner like Morris, Walker is an exciting talent at hooker. With Rob Webber heading to Sale, Walker will be a key part of a Bath pack which faltered at times last year. Should he make the step up he should be joining the long queue of talented English hookers pushing for international recognition, alongside Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jamie George.
Also keep an eye on: Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Ollie Thorley (Gloucester), Jordan Williams (Bristol).
By Henry Ker
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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