Guinness Premiership Review
By DC


Once again we stand on the verge of a new season of the top flight English game. A lot has happened in the off season, the Lions, 'Bathgate', 'Bloodbingate' & a lot of player transfers – some fantastic transfers and a few seriously strange ones!! Personally I think this season much like last will have more than its share of shock defeats and sublime performances. With the Autumn Internationals around the corner and players playing for a six nations place there will be a lot of Englishman running, tackling and throwing themselves around the fields of the Premiership in order to attract the attention of the selectors. The Premiership is broken down into the battle for the top 4 finish and then the play offs – this year I think a few teams will surprise and a few more of the expected giants will stumble and fall.

Bath

It has been a long hard summer break for Bath, with some shocking revelations about the teams “social activities” and the hearings involving some key players. Everyone has heard the joke about the new team shirts having a white line down the front and the new team sponsor being Coca-Cola. The impressive and first choice Matt Stevens has changed his direction for a few years and is currently planning an assault on the Starbucks Empire, while Higgins, Lipman, and Crocket have signed for the new development team playing out of La Paz. The loss of Justin Harrison for me is the greatest of them all; a monster in the line out and a natural leader, the team will struggle without this behemoth in the boiler house.

In addition to the talented signings Bath have made, they also welcome back, a man who in the past has fought his own demons, a supremely talented individual – Ollie Barkley. Barkley is just as comfortable at outside half as he is at centre, a gifted player who I have a lot of time for. He will be needed in the coming months with Butch James being out of action until at least the New Year. Outside half is such a key position, especially in a team with the attacking mind set like Bath. Personally I think Barkley has to play at 10, otherwise Bath will struggle with the other options they have. Bath’s other options are either the raw Ryan Davis or the new signing Nicky Little. Little made his first team debut in 1485 when he played at 10 in the battle of Bosworth Field at his age you have to question his ability to last a long season, if he is coach Meehan’s answer to the injured Butch James then Bath are going to do more than struggle they are going to hit reverse.

Bath have a talented squad that plays attacking heads up rugby and on their day can play the kind of rugby that has the crowds screaming with delight. Abendanon, may lack defensive abilities at times but his running lines are stunning, at times show the England selectors that he should not be the forgotten man. Mears is a hooker that runs like a crashing centre and what is more he runs all day, he only has one gear – flat out. Scrum half Claasens is class by name class by nature. The man mountain Banahan has the size of a Grizzly Bear and a serious case of white line fever, the kind of white line fever that will not get him in trouble in Bath. Young Jack Cuthbert & Shontayne Hape are finding their feet and I think they will be massive this season. The signings of ex Warratah Carraro, ex Brumbie Salvi and most notable the Western Province Captain Watson will do more than fill the void left by troublesome trio.

Bath is a quality outfit, but I think the past few months will either be the making or the end of this great side. There is too much baggage in the basement of this team to forget the last few months, and I believe that the will be suffering from the post “GradeAgate” party for the first part of the season. They will struggle for a top finish and will be in the pack scrapping out for the last playoff place.


London Wasps

Wasps have spent the summer forgetting last years shocking season, the once mighty Wasps were made to look more than human on plenty occasions last year. Every team is allowed one bad season and I cannot imagine the perfectionist Shaun Edwards letting a repeat of last year, this year he will have the whole team ready for war. The Guinness Premiership better be ready for the prospect of dealing with an angry swarm of fighting determined Wasps this year.

They have lost some players to the French exodus – Flutey, Haskell & Tom Palmer, while the forgotten man of Irish rugby has headed off to Dublin to fight for his green shirt back. The loss of Reddan is not going to be that dramatic, waiting in the wings is a new up and coming English Scrum Half – Joe Simpson. How many more rapid running, quick thinking, and agile dancing scrum halves can England have?? Joe Simpson has got it all and the kind of swagger that made people sit up and take notice during his stint in the England 7s squad. They have managed to sign some serious talent – the blistering pace of the ever improving Varndell, the raw power of Kefu and the destructive mass that in Dan Ward(robe) Smith.

Granted the front row has a combined age of three rest homes, however props do not age they mature. The squad has some show stopping talent – the heir apparent and pure talent that is Cipriani would be a welcome asset to any team in the world. Add the signings they have made to the likes of Sackey, Betsen, Waldouck, and Worsley and you have a team that is a genuine top three contender. This Wasps team deserves to be playing at the top of the pile and that is where they will be playing again this year. Too much talent, too much quality, too much drive for this team not to be at the apex of the league.


Harlequins.

Another Guinness Premiership team that has had an interesting past few months. A one year ban, a Director of Rugby that has thrown himself on his sword and a possible European ban – not the best way to start a season. The rugby decision makers have made a bold move in their punishment of Quins over the whole fake blood bin issue. The question it raises for me is simple; will the same decision makers be looking to punish teams who strangely have to bring on more mobile flankers to cover the mysteriously injured front rowers who limp off to the sound of the ref calling for uncontested scrums? I think not!! Would the whole issue have been brought to light if the fool had kept both eyes open rather than the idiotic wink to camera? I think not!! Rant over I will continue...

Quins started the summer by cutting lose some of the old war horses, and bringing in younger hungrier players – young Rory Clegg cut his teeth at the Falcons under a certain Johnny Wilkinson, and you would struggle to find a better role model for a young out half, now he will learn more of his trade under the watchful eyes of the self imposed exile Nick Evans. Clegg joins a young talented squad, full of pace and excitement. The half back combination of Care and Evans seem to be learning each others’ game, while the rest of the back read like a who’s who of line breaking talent. Mike Brown has been pushed out of contention for an England starting shirt by the impressive Delon Armitage. Monye went on the summer Lions tour and despite some hot & cold performances proved his place. As for Skinner, Turner-Hall, Robshaw and Strettle they will have their eyes on and England test place, all of them are more than capable of pulling on the red rose and impressing.

The loss of Dean Richards is a massive blow for the impressive Quins. Last year they produced some of the most memorable games of rugby for many years. The home and away games against Stade were fantastic and had everything a cup game needs - edge of the seat dramatics and heart in your mouth moments. Without the driving force of Richards this team is going to struggle to find direction, without Richards’ guidance I have a feeling that Quins will be lost at sea rudderless.

If Quins can find a new director of rugby to take the helm and guide the S.S Quins then they will be in the pack fighting for fourth place.


Northampton Saints

Last year the Saints were warriors at home, their away record not as great, but at home titans with a never say die attitude. The team learnt a passion for Rugby in the first division the year before and attacked the Premiership table like a spoilt chubby school boy in a donut shop, hungry and demanding more. Some teams have been ruthless in the transfer window, others have been clever, Saints have been simply effective – creating a perfect balance.

King Carlos has been axed, Spencer was a true showman, a genuine drop of genius touched by the hands of the rugby Gods, however the last few years have seen the once King of 10s desperate to relive the dying of the light. Out with Carlos and in with Geraghty, a gifted play maker that has only begun his international path. If the boy Geraghty gels with the attacking talent on display at the Northampton Saints then the points and try will flow freely. In addition to the young Geraghty, they have signed the massive frame of Dan Vickerman, the 30 year old fresh from his stint playing college rugby.

The Saints have the potential to be one of the most attacking teams in the Guinness Premiership, Foden, Ashton, Clarke and Joe the Fro Ansbro are fantastic players and are packed full of game changing moments – these guys cut loose and it will be raining tries in Northampton. At the helm is Myler a young man with a great talent ahead of him, he will be wanting to stand up and demand the attention of Martin Johnson. The most impressive thing about Saints this season is their selection of the club captain – Harltey. The short tempered Hartley would pick a fight with a mirror, given half the chance. Last season he collected penalties and yellow cards like Jeremy Clarkson collects complaint letters from lorry drivers. Guscott’s criticism of Hartley as team captain has fallen on deaf ears and I can see why – this season will be the making of him. The young petulant Hartley will thrive on the pressure of leadership and I can see a massive future for him, possibly a future England Captain in the making – after all did they not say that Beckham was a bad choice as England Captain?

If the Saints engine is maintained it will purr all season long, a serious top three contender.


Gloucester

The Cherry & Whites has the kind of season last year that is best forgotten, shocking performances from a team that could hardly beat a toy drum. The blame of a poor season was laid at the feet of key players and the management; basically the decision maker declared a state of brown trouser time and welded the axe like a deranged Conan. In times of crisis sometime teams make rash decisions, and none more than the Cherry & Whites – they have hacked and slashed through the core of the team and brought in some aging has beens. Carlos Spencer, Tom Voyce, Noah and Moses have all signed joining the likes of Azam &Tindell the team car park is going to be packed with shop mobility scooters. There is something about Kingsholm stadium that seems to suck the youth out of the players, James Simpson-Daniel is only 27 but he looks Grandpa Simpson his hair is retreating quicker that Vainikolo’s test career.

One signing that does turn heads is the signature of Nicky Robinson, Mr Hot and Cold. On his day Robinson can pull the strings of a game like an Angel playing a harp, on other days he could not catch the clap in a Berlin brothel. Last season he was in spectacular form and was the pivot for the destruction of the Cherry and Whites at the hands of Cardiff Blues more than once. Therefore he better impress at Gloucester this season or the legendary crowd will quickly turn on him. 

Gloucester are another team that have suffered at the hands of the press and the swinging axe of change, not because of fake blood or sudden snow showers like fellow Guinness Premiership sides but because they have not lived up to some over blown sense of self importance. The Gloucester fans and public seem to think that it is their God given right to win everything, like some sort of Spurs rugby side. They are not Championship contenders but will be fighting for a playoff place; personally I can see them falling short.


London Irish

London Irish, bit like Easyjet, when I say London I actually mean 40 miles away in Reading.

Another team full of attacking intent that loves to entertain the pack crowds they get at the Madejski stadium. They have a new Defensive coach, straight from the French national side, David Ellis. The slightly ironic thing is that both the French National team and London Irish seem to basis their defence on the principle that if they score more points than the opposition then they have a better D.

They have lost a few players, the most notable being the talented Geraghty & Tonga Lea’aetoa, who played every game for the team last year-the only player to do so. Also of the squad is the little used but fantastically named, Welsh capped Warren Fury – Fury will be missed and Irish will find that they might have to carry their own bags from the team coach. The counter balance the loss of these few players they have brought in the Veteran Chris Malone and Ryan Lamb, apparently the sole reason for the Cherry & Whites poor season last year.

Irish probably look at their squad and have to question where the weakness would be. Peter Hewat, might not be able to get a look in with Robbie Deans but that is nothing but good news for Irish. The Armitage boys are a phenomenal asset, Delon, while currently injured, was one of the players of the season last year and was seriously unlucky not to get a Lions call up. His brother Steffon, is wider than he is taller, the man is a walking barrel, but he knoes no fear and would tackle a brick wall if asked. In the boiler room they have two seriously under rated players in Bob Casey and Nick Kennedy. In the Centre they have another member of the Guinness team of the season, the human battering ram Mapusua, you must have hear of the term rock and a hard place, Mapusua is both! Finally they have the of the most impressive wingers in the Guinness Premiership Topsy Ojo & Tagicakibau – these guys can create tries from anywhere-that and the fact that combined they make the highest score possible in Scrabble.

They do have weaknesses, for me at time they can be pressured into making the wrong choice and more importantly at times try too hard to entertain and score tries when other more sensible options are available. In addition to this they do lack power and mass at times in the pack a key example of this is the tipped for stardom Richard Thorpe who even after a few days on the Maximuscle and Protein shakes still looks like an albino Smurf, not quiet the huge line breaking 8 that can be found in the rival teams.

Great team again one of those that are going to be tough to beat but it’s the struggle for control and the lack of definitive game winning choices that will mean they are yet another team in the masses fighting for that valuable final 4th slot.


Leicester Tigers

Where do you begin with this team, if you want to find a complete team, a perfect balance, a team that can grind out results or blow teams away, then

Toby Flood

look no further than the mighty force of the Leicester Tigers. They have talent in every department house hold name and honest hard working squad players that turn up and perform week in week out. Just when you think a squad cannot get any better they sign further talent. Most teams would struggle with clashes of personalities and ego when this much talent is gathered on one training paddock not here, not at Leicester. Over the years they have had ups and downs with coaches, and let us be clear here they have been through more coaches than a drunk at a National Express depo, but in the ever present Cockerill they have a man who understands the demands placed on the Tigers player by both higher management and fans.

So the squad has lost players; Vardell has gone taking with him blistering

Mr Potato Head

pace and a keen eye for the try line, but so what he could not make it into the starting 15 anyway. The loss of the South African Hougaard, is not great loss either not when you have the likes of Sam Vesty in your team. Vesty is pure pedigree, a four generation Tiger, he has Leicester in his veins and a genuine contender for an England squad place if Martin Johnson has any plans of world domination. The loss of Dupuy on the other hand will have more of an effect, in the latter half of last season he earned his stripes and also one an international call up, however this squad has more than enough strength in depth. The Tigers legend Martin Corry has finally decided to hang up his boots, the man was a true war horse and will be missed. Missed not for his performances on the pitch, because the squad has the cover, he will be missed by the medics, this year the medical team are going to have more bandage and stitches than ever before. Corry was a magnet for random violence and over the years he must have lost 3 times his own body weight in blood from facial cuts in the tigers cause.

Cockerill does have some selection headaches, with a squad like this that is to be expected. In the flyhalf position, will he go for the impressive Vesty or the back from Injury Flood – both offer a different front foot game, both are natural game winners. Flood has a fantastic rounded game and is comfortable with ball in hand or on the end of his boot. Despite looking like a bag of spanners, Flood still draws the crowds.

This Tigers squad is packed full of talent & quality, household names in every department:

Castrogiovanni – one of the best front rowers in the world.

Tom Croft – one of the players of the Lions tour, rapid around the park and an engine that runs all day.

Scott Hamilton – a true inspiration last season who settled in well with the Murphy boys – Geordan & Johne.

They also players that seem to be have over looked and forgotten on the international stage – Louis Deacon, Dan Hipkiss, Harry Ellis, & Jordan Crane to name but a few.  Added to the squad this season is the fantastically named Billy Twelvetrees, who not only sounds like he should be riding into town alongside the cast of Deadwood, but is also being highly tipped by many pundits as a potential show stopper.

I have inspected the DC crystal ball and as the mists cleared I saw Leicester victorious on Grand Final day, a serious force not only in the Guinness Premiership but also European rugby.

The top three teams for me are a certainty, is up to the remaining best of the best to fight out for the vital 4th place. Tigers, Wasps & Saints will take the top three slots, and the chasing pack of Quins, Irish, Bath & Gloucester will slug it out until the final week of the season to stake a claim for a playoff spot.

Coral Have a few interesting “to reach the play off bets”, meaning top four finish but once the odds are broken down you will get better odds looking at the each ways bets available.

3 bets stand out for me – considering my prediction of the top 3 teams :

1 point Wasps each way @ 11 with Betfred (1/4 odds for top 3 finish)

1 point Saints each way @ 11 with Betfred (1/4 odds for top 3 finish)

2 points Leicester to win the Grand final @ 3.75 "Extrabet " .