PREVIEW… By NICK VERDIER Leicester v Bath Today. Welford Road. Kick-off 3pm Power: Matt Toomua is tackled by Finn Russell on his debut for Leicester […]

Leader: Matt Garvey MATT GARVEY knows he will have to play chess while he plays rugby when Bath take on Leicester in the Premiership opener […]

MANU Tuilagi will make his first competitive start since January after being named in Leicester’s XV to take on Bath at Welford Road today. The […]

From NICK CAIN at Twickenham Saracens 55pts Tries: Barritt 9, Wigglesworth 11, Maitland 20, 31, 35; Lozowski 28, Kock 38, Brits 52, Spencer 68 Conversions: […]

Brendan Gallagher looks at James O’Connor’s challenge Stade Felix Mayol or the AJ Bell Stadium? The dazzling Med or misty Manchester? T14 aristocracy or Premiership […]

Director of Rugby: Gary Gold Captain: Donncha O’Callaghan Ground: Sixways Stadium Capacity: 11,499 There is a reluctance to write off a side that has a […]

JEREMY GUSCOTT’S VERDICT The competitiveness of the Premiership is what gets me excited every year and this season is no different. It is a great […]

Head Coach: Todd Blackadder Captain: Matt Garvey Ground: Recreation Ground Capacity: 14,500 Bath are the Premiership’s great pretenders, having not won a title in 21 […]

NEALE HARVEY looks at the tussle for the No.9 spot at Exeter Chiefs Big future: Jack Maunder clears the ball for Exeter PICTURE: Getty Images […]

Director of Rugby: Rob Baxter Captain: Jack Yeandle Ground: Sandy Park Capacity: 12,600 Having won the crown for the first time in May, Chiefs rugby […]

Director of Rugby: David Humphreys Captain: Willi Heinz Ground: Kingsholm Capacity: 16,500 The arrival of tightheads Fraser Balmain and Gareth Denman and loose-head Val Rapava- […]

Under John Kingston there’s been tilting of the tactical axis at the Stoop, with more emphasis on the systematic and less on the speculative. Given […]

Director of Rugby: Matt O’Connor Captain: Tom Youngs Ground: Welford Road Capacity: 25,800 Leicester have assembled one of the most potent back-lines in their history, […]

Director of Rugby: Nick Kennedy Captain: TBA Ground: Madejsk Stadium Capacity: 24,200 Brendan Venter’s coaching record is a warning that promoted London Irish should not […]

Head Coach: Dean Richards Captain: Will Welch Ground: Kingston Park Capacity: 10,200 Newcastle were the surprise package of the last campaign, pulling clear of the […]

NEALE HARVEY talks to Saints about the loss of Picamoles Northampton coach Phil Dowson has challenged his No.8s Teimana Harrison and new signing Mitch Eadie […]

Director of Rugby: Jim Mallinder Captain: Dylan Hartley Ground: Franklin’s Gardens Capacity: 15,500 Saints rugby director Jim Mallinder will be hoping that some cherry-picking from […]

Director of Rugby: Steve Diamond Captain: Will Addison Ground: AJ Bell Stadium Capacity: 12,000 Sale have strength-indepth after making some choice summer signings. New owner […]

Director of Rugby: Mark McCall Captain: Brad Barritt Ground: Allianz Park Capacity: 10,000 The reigning European Champions want a hat-trick of titles – and to […]

Director of Rugby: Dai Young Captain: Joe Launchbury Ground: Ricoh Arena Capacity: 32,600 Regular crowds of up to 25,000 at the Ricoh are testament to […]

By NICK VERDIER Back-to-back: Wasps lift the Premiership Sevens trophy for the second year running PICTURES: Getty Images WASPS will once again go into the […]

PLATE ROUND-UP A BLISTERING start handed Gloucester a 22-12 win over Saracens to win the Plate at the Premiership Sevens in Northampton yesterday. Impressive England […]

BOWL ROUND-UP NORTHAMPTON won the first East Midlands derby of the season as a late try from Tom Collins helped them beat Leicester 24-22 to […]