Next season

[Shugs]

Wonder what others think about how next season will pan out. Most recruitment is probably done for most teams (hopefully we’ll add a couple) so who will finish where. I can’t see Bath being as bad as last year but I think there may be a bit of disruption to this years top 4. For us I’m confident we’ll do a deal better than last year but without seeing how our backs go I can’t go top 4. My prediction is:
Saracens
Quins
Gloucester
Tigers
Wasps
Sale
Exeter
Bath
Saints
Bristol
Irish
Falcons
Worcester

[Steve from Cov]

Its going to be another close & competitive season. My thoughts:

Saracens and Tigers will be top 2. Quins & Bristol 3rd & 4th. Sale & Exeter 5th & 6th.

Wasps, Irish and Saints to battle it out for 7th. We need to sign two quality backs and/or Mills & Hartley really have to step up.   

I suspect Bath won't dramatically improve next season.

Really hope Newcastle can progress and avoid the relegation fight.   

[Rossm]

Steve, isn't relegation still 'paused' for next season?

[HDAWG]

I agree about competitiveness.

1. Saracens
2. Leicester
3. Sale
4. Quins
5. Gloucester
6. Saints
7. Wasps
8. Bristol
9. Irish
10. Exeter
11. Bath
12. Worcester
13. Newcastle

Honestly between 1 & 10 is anyone's guess. For me I don't think Wasps are near top 4 yet, if we get a couple academy players turning world class that might change (ain't gonna be via signings). We'll probably be fighting between 5th and 10th again. Not particularly sure we'll be top 6 either!

[Neils]

Steve, isn't relegation still 'paused' for next season?

Yes the league goes up to 14 then relegation reintroduced.

[Neils]

I agree about competitiveness.

1. Saracens
2. Leicester
3. Sale
4. Quins
5. Gloucester
6. Saints
7. Wasps
8. Bristol
9. Irish
10. Exeter
11. Bath
12. Worcester
13. Newcastle

Honestly between 1 & 10 is anyone's guess. For me I don't think Wasps are near top 4 yet, if we get a couple academy players turning world class that might change (ain't gonna be via signings). We'll probably be fighting between 5th and 10th again. Not particularly sure we'll be top 6 either!

Kind of agree with this. Can't see Wasps breaking into Top 4.

[Bloke in North Dorset]

I’m in general agreement. Two potential surprises:

Worcester in top 6. Not a pretty team to watch but grinding out results under Diamond.

Leicester miss Genge and Ford and struggle to get in top 6.

I wouldn’t put money on either at less than about 20/1, just throwing them out there and bookmarking this page. 

[Shugs]

Agree bind. I think Tigers will struggle compared to last year. Ford was huge for them, a large number of their squad will have had a busy summer and I also think they’ll really miss Moroni (would have been a cracking signing for us).

[NellyWellyWaspy]

I think it will be too close to call. Young players in all squads will hope to get better. Many players have moved on or left the game. The luck of the draw on injuries may well be the deciding factor, rather than perceived deficiencies in some squads. I would hope for improvement and a push in to the top 6.

[Heathen]

Our final position IMHO will depend on how our back division performs.

[Rossm]

Our final position IMHO will depend on how our back division performs.

Sorry to say but I expect lots better without Jimmy. He was a real bottleneck and was ruthlessly targeted by oppo defences.

[Shugs]

Totally agree Ross - albeit we had little option. Maybe we could have played Hartley a bit more.

[baldpaul101]

Difficult to predict I mean who would have had Tigers down as favourites a year ago?

Personally:
Any team except Wuss & Falcons could be in the top 4.
Tigers, like Quinns last season, may struggle to come top again.
Some under performing teams like bath & Bristol may do better?

The fact its going to be close is great for the game IMO

[Hymenoptera]

Comical..5th Shugs, really?, have you learnt nothing from you last 2 season predictions? Top 4 for both wasn't it?
We are weaker than last 2 season but we'll improve and be pushing just outside top 4..blimey..

Sarries / Tiger top 2
Wasps 9th

[westwaleswasp]

Tigers will struggle a bit, I think Quins will have a resurgence, Saints will really improve. Chiefs I see no further forward. Sarries will be there or abouts
.
I think Lee will lose his job if we play as we did last year. Bums on seats will not be obtained by trying to move the drinks cabinet one inch closer to Berlin. It is not about wins, it is about style, I think Lee is assuming the style will develop if the wins come, and we will move forward. I don't think we will.