The Gallagher Premiership 2018/19: Movers and shakers

With the new Premiership season just round the corner who has recruited best and which players have moved where? I look into the transfers of every side and dish out the pre-season grades based on how well they’ve recruited on the player front. For the purposes of assigning a grade I haven’t considered managerial appointments, academy promotions or contract extensions although they have been mentioned. However I have taken into account players already in place at the club, i.e does the club actually need a prop? As well as how well I feel the signings will actually fit in at his new team, both on and off the field.

Bath

Grade: B+

All in all it looks to have been a pretty decent transfer period for Todd Blackadder’s side. Matt Banahan is perhaps their only major loss, he made 251 appearances for the club, the combined total of the others on the way out is just 179 – 86 of these are from Academy raised Kane Palma-Newport. Amongst those arriving is Will Chudley whose experience and stewardship at scrum-half should benefit Bath immensely. With Banahan leaving for Gloucester another 31-year old arrives in the shape of Jamie Roberts. A stranger appointment considering his struggles at Harlequins but a player who has undeniable ability to find wonderful lines and make breaks.  Joe Cokanasiga is another exciting signing capable of finding space, although overshadowed by Alex Lewington at London Irish he could be a very good replacement for Banahan on the wing. My interest is always peaked when a player joins from the Sevens circuit and it doesn’t always mean success but Ruaridh McConnochie looks an exciting talent. His past exploits include winning silver at the 2016 Olympics and bronze more recently during the 2018 Commonwealth games.  During the recruitment period Bath have also managed to fill a very important vacancy that has stood since November. Girvan Dempsey will take up position as the new attack coach joining from Leinster where he played a fundamental role as part of Leo Cullen’s side. I still think it’s unlikely on the basis of their additions that Bath will break the top four next season but overall it looks to have been a fairly successful offseason for Todd Blackadder and co.

IN – Jackson Willison (Worcester), Lucas Noguera Paz (Jaguares), Victor Delmas (Colomiers), Ruaridh McConnochie (England Sevens), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Will Chudley (Exeter), Joe Cokanasiga (London Irish), Alex Davies (Yorkshire), Jacques van Rooyen (Lions)

OUT – Matt Banahan (Gloucester), Josh Lewis (Dragons), Ben Tapuai (Harlequins), Nick Auterac (Harlequins), James Phillips (Sale), Nathan Charles (Rebels), Rory Jennings (London Scottish), Will Homer (Jersey), Kane Palma-Newport (Colomiers), Shaun Knight (Rouen), James Wilson (Southland), Jeff Williams (Released)

Bristol Bears

Grade: A

With a new rebranding process underway its out with the old and in with the new at Bristol as over 40 players in total are either joining or leaving Ashton Gate. Changes are expected as the Bears know they must strengthen on last year’s side to retain top flight status. However supporters would undoubtedly have been disappointed to see Jordan and Rhodri Williams leave. Both are on their way to play for the Dragons across the bridge despite featuring for Bristol in the Championship end of season team of the year.  Also on the way out is experienced and hugely popular Samoan David Lemi, who across two spells in Bristol has scored 353 points in 136 games. The Bears have bought in some very capable performers though, George Smith, ex-Australian captain being an exceptional addition. The 38-year old brings a wealth of experience and leadership and regardless of whether he is starting week in week out just having him around the team could make a huge difference in helping Bristol achieve their goal of staying in the top flight. Joining the Ozzie flanker are a couple of other well-seasoned top flight players, Charles Piutau, John Afoa and Harry Thacker being standouts who could make waves at the Gate. It’s definitely been a busy summer for Bristol and it looks on paper that they could have amassed one of the strongest lineups a newly promoted side has ever boasted. Will it be enough to keep them up though? Or can they even push for further up the league?

IN – Charles Piutau (Ulster), John Afoa (Gloucester), Shaun Malton (Exeter), Nic Stirzaker (Rebels), Yann Thomas (Rouen), Aly Muldowney (Grenoble), Tiff Eden (Nottingham), Harry Thacker (Leicester), Jake Heenan (Connacht), Jordan Lay (Edinburgh), Tom Lindsay (Bedford), Jake Armstrong (Jersey), Jake Woolmore (Jersey), Tom Pincus (Jersey), Lewis Thiede (Ealing), Piers O’Conor (Ealing), Luke Daniels (Ealing), Harry Randall (Gloucester), Ed Holmes (Exeter), James Lay (Bay of Plenty), George Smith (Reds)

OUT – Jordan Williams (Dragons), Rhodri Williams (Dragons), Olly Robinson (Cardiff), Max Crumpton (Harlequins), Ryan Bevington (Dragons), David Lemi (Chanlon), Jack O’Connell (Ealing), Tyler Gendall (Cornish Pirates), James Newey (Jersey), Billy Searle (Wasps), Soane Tonga’uiha (Ampthill), Giorgi Nemsadze (Ospreys), Gaston Cortes (Leicester), Jack Wallace (Richmond), Dan Tuohy (Vannes), Jordan Liney (Hartpury), Ross McMillan (Leicester), Alex Giltrow (Clifton), Jason Harris-Wright (Released), Thretton Palamo (Released), Ryan Glynn (Released), Ben Gompels (Released)

Exeter Chiefs

Grade: C

Things have been far quieter in Devon, with only two players joining Rob Baxter’s side. Santiago Cordero has committed his future to the club after an encouraging time with the Chiefs last season and he will be joined by Welsh and Lions winger Alex Cuthbert. Both can play across the backline but with plenty of strength in depth at Sandy Park and players who have established formidable reputations already in place it could be hard for either to hold down a regular Premiership shirt. Cordero has had the advantage of a few months to bed in but both he and his Welsh counterpart are going to have to seize their opportunities  which are unlikely to come thick and fast bar injuries. The one place they may get a chance is in at full-back, Lachlan Turner has enjoyed an impressive few years for Exeter and his retirement will be a bitter pill to swallow for Devonians. Experienced clubmen Kai Horstmann and Carl Rimmer have also called time on their playing careers alongside ex-Tiger Julian Salvi. The most noticeable omission from Sandy Park this year will undoubtedly be Thomas Waldrom who has scored tries for fun and has played a huge role in the Chiefs’ recent success story. As has often been the case with Exeter they have placed a huge amount of faith in their youth program and once again with over a dozen youth players called up to professional contracts they have used this tried and tested method to recruit and build without breaking the bank. Don’t be fooled by a lack of signings, Rob Baxter knows exactly how to build a Championship winning team and the Chiefs will surely challenge again this year knowing full well they are jam-packed with strength in depth already.

IN – Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff), Santiago Cordero (Jaguares)

OUT – Kai Horstmann (Retired), Shaun Malton (Bristol), Thomas Waldrom (Wellington Lions), Will Chudley (Bath), Ed Holmes (Bristol), Julian Salvi (Retired), Carl Rimmer (Retired), Lachlan Turner (Retired)

Gloucester

Grade: B+

The arrival of Danny Cipriani has attracted a lot of publicity with those of a Gloucester persuasion thoroughly excited about what this season could now bring. The London born fly-half remains a controversial and risky investment, already he’s been involved in a far from ideal off the field incident. Cipriani had a successful tenure at Wasps but there are massive differences in the way the two teams play. If he hits the ground running it could propel Gloucester up the table, if he doesn’t gel or is lured towards the idea of being the standout hero week in week out it could scupper any hope the Cherry and Whites have of a top half finish. Matt Banahan is more suited to the power approach favoured at Gloucester, his muscle and speed should fit in on the wing where injuries and depth issues have caused the West Country side troubles in the past. With big physical presences, especially the huge figure of Franco Mostert, we see the more expected examples of the kind of players Ackermann is keen on bringing on-board. Five of the ten signings at Kingsholm are South African forwards, three of these five are from Ackermann’s old team the Lions. Their success as a collective could weigh heavily on how well they make the switch from Southern to Northern hemisphere rugby  especially as forwards (only Gerbrandt Grobler has played for a European club previously). On their way out are a number of big names, Ross Moriarty, Richard Hibbard, Billy Burns, John Afoa and Jeremy Thrush perhaps five of the biggest. With upcoming talents from last year kept and the signings made,  there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful. Experience, capability and familiarity are all on moving on though and Gloucester will want to be careful that such a loss doesn’t damage a side that have yearned for consistency, reliability and composure in the recent years. Cipriani as always is the key, can he behave and can he bring order to a team that has underachieved for a while now?

IN – Matt Banahan (Bath), Franco Marais (Sharks), Jaco Kriel (Lions), Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Gerbrandt Grobler (Munster), Franco Mostert (Lions), Ruan Dreyer (Lions), Todd Gleave (London Irish)

OUT – Ross Moriarty (Dragons), Richard Hibbard (Dragons), John Afoa (Bristol), Matt Scott (Edinburgh), Cameron Orr (Western Force), Andy Symons (Northampton), Tom Denton (Ealing), Harry Randall (Bristol), Davild Halaifonua (Coventry), Charlie Beckett (Jersey), Jeremy Thrush (Western Force), Ed Bogue (Cinderford), Motu Matu’u (London Irish), Elliott Creed (Doncaster), Billy Burns (Ulster), Alfie North (Ayr), Jacob Rowan (Released), Carwyn Penny (Released), Mason Tonks (Released)

Harlequins

Grade: C-

Quins have endured some really torrid times of late and new coach Paul Gustard will have an immense amount of pressure on his shoulders as an expectant fan base perhaps cautiously countdown to the new campaign. Gustard brings plenty of coaching and rugby experience but he has never acted as a head coach, fans at the Stoop will hope this isn’t too much of  an issue. On the basis of player signings there’s not much that screams improvements incoming, neither Tapuai  or Auterac had particularly good times at Bath and Nathan Earle, perhaps their biggest signing is a winger, this isn’t where Quins need to be focusing. Their departing cohort features a mix of individuals, Jamie Roberts never hit the heights expected, Charlie Matthews has been a fixture in the side up until now and Sam Aspland-Robinson is an exciting talent that will now ply his trade outside London. The Stoop has always been a desirable landing spot for unattached  or unhappy players but with their drop down the league table it doesn’t hold the same allure that it once did. Gustard has a side jammed with talent and international quality so perhaps his focus is more on sorting out the disjointed performances his current crop have been churning out as oppose to adding big names from elsewhere. Their biggest and most important piece of transfer business almost certainly came at the start of the year when they signed a new contract worth £230’000 with England superstar Marcus Smith, where would the club be if he had gone elsewhere? This season is going to depend almost entirely on the appointment of Paul Gustard because on recent performances it’s not beyond the realms of possibilities to suggest they could be in a relegation battle.

IN – Nathan Earle (Saracens), Max Crumpton (Bristol), Alex Dombrandt (Cardiff Met), Ben Tapuai (Bath), Nick Auterac (Bath), Matt Symons (Wasps), Paul Lasike (Utah)

OUT – Jamie Roberts (Bath), Winston Stanley (Retired), Adam Jones (Retired), Harry Sloan (Ealing), Sam Aspland-Robinson (Leicester), Charlie Matthews (Wasps), Ian Prior (Western Force), Cameron Holenstein (Jersey), Sam Twomey (London Irish),  Jono Kitto (Northland), Joe Gray (Northampton)

Leicester Tigers

Grade: B

For the past few seasons at Welford Road there have been two major problems stunting their progress, injuries with the backs and a lack of physicality and punch with the forwards. The latter appears to have been attacked head on, the signing of three players in particular could go a long way to restoring the historic Leicester grit. Denton and Spencer are capable powerhouses who should be able to make up and potentially improve on what is lost in the departing Dom Barrow and Luke Hamilton. Whilst Guy Thompson, who comes from Wasps, has the strength and ferocity that the Tigers have been missing in recent years.  The big eye-catching signing for the Tigers in their backline is Kyle Eastmond who also joins from Wasps. The major concern for Leicester is that this is another centre who, like Tuilagi, has had his share of injuries in the past. This was soon noted by fans and further shine was taken off the signing when it was announced that Matt Toomua would be playing one more season in Leicester colours before returning to Australia. Injuries aside they may well have both available alongside Tuilagi this year which isn’t a bad setup at all but in the long run the switch (of course it may not have been that simple behind the scenes) is Eastmond for Toomua which is hard to argue as anything other than a downgrade.  The vast amount of other business for Leicester has occurred in the front row. With Polota-Nau likely to be on international duties for periods, McGuigan leaving and Youngs off the pace of late they’ve been on the hunt for a hooker, both McMillan and Stevens arrive with Premiership experience under the belt and could be adequate second or third string hookers. Tigers have also stocked up on props, Ma’afu, Cortes and Feao will all call Welford Road home next year, the latter picked up six yellow cards in eleven appearances for Narbonne so should get on swimmingly with new teammate Dan Cole. Overall it looks like Leicester have patched up some of their problems but as ever they will have their fingers crossed on the injury front, despite plenty of acquisitions their strength in depth still looks like it could be exposed.

IN – Guy Thompson (Wasps), Will Spencer (Worcester), David Denton (Worcester), James Voss (Jersey), Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins), Jimmy Stevens (Nottingham), Gaston Cortes (Bristol), Kyle Eastmond (Wasps), Campese Ma’afu (Northampton), David Feao (Narbonne), Ross McMillan (Bristol)

OUT – Harry Thacker (Bristol), Dom Barrow (Northampton), Ben Betts (Ealing), Logovi’i Mulipola (Newcastle), Joe Maksymiw (Connacht), Nick Malouf (Australia Sevens), Michele Rizzo (Petrarca), Luke Hamilton (Edinburgh), George Catchpole (Retired), Pat Cilliers (London Irish), Chris Baumann (Released), Kyle Traynor (Released), Dominic Ryan (Released), Tom Brady (Released), Afa Pakalani (Released)

Newcastle Falcons

Grade: C-

Last year was a superb season for the Falcons and northern rugby as a whol e but unfortunately on the basis of their summer business it looks like this campaign could be a much trickier one. Five players of the twenty-three that played in the semi-final last year are either leaving or retiring. These are Evan Olmstead, Ally Hogg,  Rob Vickers, Nili Latu and JP Socino who are big losses for a team that seemed to excel in such large parts last year thanks to its unity and wolf pack like mentality. Another retiring big name is Scott Lawson whose experience in the scrum will be hard to replace. Coming in for the front-row though is former Leicester and Samoan prop Mulipola who has plenty of Premiership appearances and could be a wonderful addition to Dean Richard’s side. George McGuigan also makes a return to Kingston Park whilst Gary Graham will be joined by his brother Guy. Newcastle will be hoping that Guy, signed from Hawick in Scotland, can prove to be just as bigger asset to the club as Gary was last term. One arrival to watch up north could be the centre Pedro Bettencourt whose most recent work was at Carcassone. Bettencourt could potentially join the very small list of Portuguese players to have played in England’s top flight if he makes an appearance, the 23 year-old has played for his country on a number of occasions and learnt his trade playing for the academy in Clermont. In many people’s eyes Newcastle’s exploits last season were very much a one off and although it would be great for northern rugby if they weren’t, it looks hard to see on the basis of signings how there’s going to be much improvement or even parity.

IN – Guy Graham (Hawick), Tom Arscott (Rouen), Logovi’i Mulipola (Leicester), George McGuigan (Leicester), Johnny Williams (London Irish), Connor Collett (North Harbour), Nemani Nagusa (Aurillac), Pedro Bettencourt (Carcassonne), Paul Mullen (Houston)

OUT – Juan Pablo Socino (Edinburgh), Harrison Orr (Western Force), DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow), Belisario Agulla (Hindu Club), Craig Willis (Ealing), Jake Ilnicki (Yorkshire), Rob Vickers (Retired), Ally Hogg (Retired), Scott Lawson (Retired), Nick Civetta (Doncaster), Maxime Mermoz (Toulouse), Nili Latu (Hino), Evan Olmstead (Auckland), Ben Sowrey (Wharfedale), Max Davies (Ealing)

Northampton Saints

Grade: A-

The Saints have been pretty busy with big names both coming and going, none more so than Welsh international Dan Biggar. The fly-half will arrive with a fair amount of pressure on his shoulders, Northampton recently have been a side in decline and they’re in desperate need of an experienced international to pull the strings and marshal the troops. The form of the Swansea born star throughout the season will play a massive part in deciding where the Saints finish. Last year they finished ninth and conceded just six points fewer than the league’s most porous defence, London Irish. This may not be Biggar’s strength, but Northampton have looked elsewhere to address this problem, James Haskell joins from Wasps and brings with him a ferocity and commitment that is sure to go down well at the Gardens. Other significant additions hail from the other side of the world, Ben Franks is a New Zealand world cup winner and although he spent last season at London Irish you would imagine is neither fond nor use to losing regularly. Joining on the wing in place of George North is a 6ft 5’, 20 stone Fijian by the name of Taqele Naiyaravolo. The former Waratah could be a monstrous force with ball in hand, in 47 appearances for the Australian outfit he crossed the whitewash 29 times. The biggest change at Franklin’s Gardens this year will be the arrival of Chris Boyd though, the Kiwi coach joins having led the Hurricanes to four semi-finals, one second place and one championship in a four-year tenure as boss. There’s no doubt that there’s plenty of encouraging and ambitious appointments being brought in but with any season the Saints are seeing top players depart, a few for reasons out of their control. Last season Rob Horne suffered an arm injury that forced him to retire early at just 28, the Australian looked a wonderful prospect throughout his first season in Northampton colours. Club legend, Christian Day is also retiring, calling time under his own circumstances whilst Ben Foden and Stephen Myler are seeking new challenges elsewhere. Between the three of them they have made 800 appearances for the club and will be sure to leave behind both physical and emotional holes. All in all though it looks like the Saints have recruited well and are poised to rebuild a recently damaged reputation.

IN – Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs), Will Davis (Ealing), Ben Franks (London Irish), Dom Barrow (Leicester), Andy Symons (Gloucester), James Haskell (Wasps), Matt Worley (Racing 92), Charlie Davies (Dragons). Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs), Joe Gray (Harlequins)

OUT – Sam Dickinson (Ealing), Jordan Onojaife (Ealing), Nic Groom (Lions), Charlie Clare (Bedford), Matt Beesley (Ealing), Christian Day (Retired), Rob Horne (Retired), George North (Ospreys), Ben Nutley (Coventry), Stepen Myler (London Irish), Tom Stepenson (London Irish), Kieran Brookes (Wasps), Tom Kessell (Coventry), Juan Pablo Estelles (Atletico del Rosario), Ben Foden (Rugby United NY), Jamie Elliott (Bedford), Campese Ma’afu (Leicester), Josh Peters (Released), Michael Patterson (Released)

Sale Sharks

Grade: C

Where Sale finished last season didn’t quite do justice to their largely competitive campaign, for almost the entirety they were within touching distance of a top four spot. Steve Diamond has been relatively quiet on the recruitment front, only four players are set to join before the league restarts.  One of these names, Chris Ashton has attracted plenty of media attention and unfortunately before we’ve even got underway with the serious stuff the ex-Toulon man has already got his first red card (in a friendly against Castres). His chequered past has been well reported and Sale would have bought him in hoping all that had been left behind. It doesn’t look good considering Yarde and Solomona the side’s other wingers have also both been reported in the past as being difficult characters. A more reliable and solid appointment does appear to have been made in Rohan Janse van Rensburg who did well during a loan spell last term and has now been given a permanent contract. Although only six players are leaving there could be a good case put forward for how and why each will be missed. Losing Mike Haley, who played 19 league games last year to Munster will perhaps be the biggest of these. Josh Charnley’s switch back to league and Will Addison’s move to Ulster means two more exciting and competent backs will be leaving the AJ Bell. Whilst David Seymour has been with the club for almost a decade and although he will retain an ambassadorial role at the club his knowledge and experience will be hard to replace in the changing room and on the pitch. Overall, I’m sceptical as to whether they can challenge with the same tenacity once again this season but having said that Steve Diamond is a coach who is exceptional at over performing with limited resources.

IN – Joe Jones (Perpignan), James Phillips (Bath), Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions), Chris Ashton (Toulon)

OUT – Mike Haley (Munster), Josh Charnley (Warrington Wolves), Will Addison (Ulster), David Seymour (Sale FC), Halani Aulika (Grenoble), TJ Ioane (London Irish)

Saracens

Grade: B-

The defending Champions, much like Exeter have added very few names from outside the organisation. Of the three players who will arrive at Allianz Park, two of these are wingers. David Strettle is already a well known name in these parts having played 127 games between 2010 and 2015 for the north London club. The other, Alex Lewington is one of Engish rugby’s brightest talents out on the wing, he excelled in an otherwise disappointing London Irish side and if he can successfully transition to a more star-studded side then he could be a real try-scoring machine for Saracens. With two wingers arriving there wouldn’t be the need for them unless others were moving on. The experienced American Chris Wyles is to retire, whilst Nathan Earle and Mike Ellery are to move to Harlequins and the England Sevens setup respectively. Some players retire and despite huge influences on the club they have drifted out of the first team over the years leading up to their announcement. This does not apply to South African Schalk Brits who right up until the end remained a massive presence in the black and red of Saracens. His departure is almost certainly also the reason for Mark McCall’s third and final addition, hooker Tom Woolstencroft. Bar a few unavoidable retirements of hugely influential names  the comings and goings for the champions have been well thought out and suitable replacements have either been bought in or already exist.  

IN – Alex Lewington (London Irish), David Strettle (Clermont), Tom Woolstencroft (London Irish)

OUT – Schalk Brits (Retired), Nathan Earle (Harlequins), Chris Wyles (Retired), Kieran Longbottom (Western Force), Danny Cutmore (Cornish Pirates), Mark Flanagan (Bedford), Matt Hankin (Retired), Mike Ellery (England Sevens)

Wasps

Grade: B

Unlike his title rivals Dai Young has opted for plenty of change at the Ricoh Arena. The arrival of Brad Shields from the Hurricanes has been well documented and for good reason. The 27-year old brings an immense physicality and strength to Wasps’ forward pack and will look to make a nuisance of himself in and around the breakdown. This was something that departing players like Guy Thompson and James Haskell were regularly doing before, clearly those at Wasps believe Shields can help take this to the next level. With Jack Willis looking set for a lengthy time out Shields’ arrival could be even more important, he will need to hit the ground running. The Ricoh hasn’t been short of stellar backlines in the past and Lima Sopoaga is another player who could light up the coming cold months in Coventry. He will have big boots to fill though as his arrival is most likely to act as a replacement for the departing Danny Cipriani who has enjoyed a wonderful second stint at Wasps. One to watch is Michael Le Bourgeois who joins from Bedford Blues where last year he was named in the Championship team of the season. Wonderfully talented and versatile he will find it hard to break into an immense backline although with Kyle Eastmond and Brendan Macken leaving and the possibility of international call ups for some he may get a couple of chances to showcase. It’s very easy to fall into the trap of being blown away by the players coming in and glossing over those leaving at Wasps. There’s no denying they’ve recruited some great talents, even those I’ve not mentioned yet like Charlie Matthews and Kieron Brookes are perfectly capable athletes. However there’s also a lot of central cogs from seasons gone by that are leaving and this always comes with a  risk. If the big money movers joining don’t perform, gel or get injured and Dai Young could soon regret letting some much quality go.

IN – Brad Shields (Hurricanes), Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders), Joe Atkinson (London Scottish), Ross Neal (London Scottish), Michael Le Bourgeois (Bedford), Ben Morris (Nottingham), Billy Searle (Bristol), Ambrose Curtis (Manawatu), Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), Nizaam Carr (Stormers), Kieran Brookes (Northampton), Zurab Zhvania (Stade Francais)

OUT – Marty Moore (Ulster), Guy Thompson (Leicester), Sam Jones (Retired), Guy Armitage (Ealing), Will Owen (Nottingham), Danny Cipriani (Gloucester), James Haskell (Northampton), Matt Symons (Harlequins), Alex Lundberg (Ealing), Kyle Eastmond (Leicester), Paul Doran-Jones (Released), Brendan Macken (Released)

Worcester Warriors

Grade: B+

Once again, the main objective for Worcester must surely be just to avoid relegation.  Their biggest rivals will likely be Bristol, a side that will start the campaign with potentially one of the strongest lineups we’ve seen for a promoted team. So what have Worcester done with regards strengthening themselves? The guidance of an exceptional fly-half has been missing at Sixways over recent years and they will hope that bringing Duncan Weir to the club could offer just this. Also arriving from Edinburgh is the Scottish capped forward Cornell Du Preez who will replace one of the bigger names leaving, David Denton. The Warriors haven’t signed any (besides Academy promotions) English born players and one of their foreign imports that could be key to survival is Francois Venter who joins from the Cheetahs where he captained the side. For any team at the lower levels of a league table the challenge is always keeping hold of your talents and Worcester have done a pretty good job of retaining the majority of their big names. Will Spencer and Denton’s departures to Leicester Tigers will be missed as will the retirement of legendary Irish second-row Donncha O’Callaghan. With plenty of movement through both the entrance and exit it remains to see if the team has truly progressed or regressed, if it’s the latter then the eager newboys Bristol could pose a very real threat to ending the Warriors top flight stay.

IN – Callum Black (Ulster), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), Cornell du Preez (Edinburgh), Michael Heaney (Doncaster), Isaac Miller (London Scottish), Scott van Breda (Jersey), Jono Lance (Queensland), Francois Venter (Cheetahs), Michael Fatialofa (Hurricanes), Duncan Weir (Edinburgh), Farai Mudariki (Tarbes)

OUT – Donncha O’Callaghan (Retired), Huw Taylor (Dragons), Jackson Willison (Bath), Will Spencer (Leicester), David Denton (Leicester), Sam Olver (Ealing), Andrew Durutalo (Ealing), Biyi Alo (Angouleme), Michael Dowsett (Canon Eagles), Ben Howard (England Sevens), Kurt Haupt (SWD Eagles), Grayson Hart (London Scottish), Max Stelling (Hino), Peter Stringer (Released), Tom Heathcote (Released)

 Henry Justice