The Return of Rugby

It’s been a long journey, but rugby is officially back! This weekend sees the return of the Gallagher Premiership, with the Guinness PRO14 returning to action on the 21st August. From Leinster vs Munster and Edinburgh vs Glasgow Warriors in the Guinness PRO14, to Exeter Chiefs vs Leicester Tigers and Bristol vs Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership, we are in for a rugby fuelled weekend couple of weeks.

With the rain scheduled to pour this weekend, the Fifty Digital team will be watching along closely, hoping their teams do not disappoint. Here is what a few of the rugby heads had to say on the restart and how they feel their teams will fare…

Bath – Nick Morris

Currently sat right in the middle of the table at 6th, these closing few weeks of the season offer a real opportunity for Bath. The addition of Ben Spencer at scrum-half offers solidarity and quality in a position that has troubled the blue, black and whites in recent years. 

Losing popular individuals with the experience of Francois Louw (to retirement), Chris Cooke (Bristol) and Tom Homer (to London Irish) will hurt. Although their respective positions are relatively well stocked: with Sam Underhill, Zach Mercer and Taulupe Faletau fit and firing the back-row remains a position of strength. Whilst the dynamic Bath Back three could include the likes of Anthony Watson, Ruaridh McConnochie, Joe Cokanasiga and Semesa Rokoduguni each with international experience and the ability to ignite any game. 

In fact, the most damaging loss could be the much maligned Freddie Burns to Japan. Leaving just Rhys Priestland and 20-year-old academy graduate Tom de Glanville as the only recognised Fly Halves in the squad. 

If Priestland can get the Bath backline purring to support the powerful front five, a late surge into the top 4 is well within reach. If not, Bath fans may be sending envious glances westward to local rival Bristol. 

Bristol Bears – Ben Baker

Two words for you – Semi Radradra! Oh wait, two more words for you – Kyle Sinckler!

The Bears had won five games in a row before the league was halted, but considering they have added two genuine world beaters to a squad that could already boast Charles Piutau, you have to be confident they can pick up where they left off. Add in the fact that they have bolstered their depth with on-loan Saracens duo Max Malins and Ben Earl then how can you not consider Pat Lam’s side as title contenders.

Sitting third in the table, a visit of soon-to-be deposed champions Saracens first up will be a good indicator of where this team is. Yes, Saracens have lost some names, but they can still call upon the likes of Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and Brad Barritt should they wish to. But the Bears beat top-of-the-table Exeter Chiefs in their own backyard already this season so have nothing to fear! At the very least a top-four finish and a semi-final spot is what the fans should be expecting, although a place in the Final wouldn’t be out of the question.

It might be one season too early for the team from Ashton Gate though, but at least they will console themselves by winning the European Challenge Cup – you heard it here first!

Gloucester – Gemma Clarke

At this point in the season last year, Gloucester were cementing their position in the top 4. This time around, we are trying to push our way out of the bottom 4! 

It seems apt that our first game back is against local rivals Worcester Warriors, who sit 4 points below us. A bonus-point win and results go our way and we could see ourselves move into the top 6! But if we lose, well it’s best not to think about that.

Our chances are definitely helped with the return of England speedster, Jonny May, who will look to complement Welsh protégé, Louis Rees-Zammit.

With some tough fixtures against Bristol Bears, Exeter Chiefs and Saracens and some very winnable games against Quins, Worcester and London Irish, I’m backing us to finish top 6!

Harlequins – Nick Jackman

What to say about Harlequins? Well, we’re currently sat in seventh, in what’s been another frustratingly inconsistent season for us in 2019/21. From getting thrashed at home by London Irish one week, to beating last season’s runners up, Exeter Chiefs the next, we just can’t seem to tie a string of games together.

But we have been busy in the player market, having lost the likes of Kyle Sinckler to Bristol, 2 hookers were forced to retire through injury, Mark Lambert confirmed his retirement, Chris Robshaw signed for San Diego Legion and both Goneva and Ibitoye moving to France before the restart, to name a few. Albeit we have lost players, the recruitment process has been seemingly strong with the addition of no less than 12 players! Not to mention Joe Marchant and Nathan Earle coming back into the mix.

First up, we have Sale Sharks this evening and I am hoping with Chris Ashton changing his allegiance to the Mighty Quins, he should be able to provide some much needed knowledge of how Sale Sharks operate. But with Tuilagi linking up with them in lockdown, our defence is going to have to be immaculate to stop him from bulldozing his way through.

With the next two fixtures against second place Sale Sharks and fifth placed Wasps, we will need to be firing on all cylinders if we are to have a chance of making the play-offs for the first time since 2014.

Now that Robshaw has confirmed he is staying until the end of the season, Joe Marchant back from New Zealand, Nathan Earle back from a long stint on the side-lines and Alex Dombrandt looking like he’s been doing PE with Joe Wicks over lockdown, there is a glimmer of hope. 

Sale Sharks – Maddie Coutts

Being in second place in the table prior to the season being suspended, it would be rather frustrating if Sale failed to make the play-offs. 

Excitement has certainly been building as the big-money signing of Manu Tuilagi from Leicester adds to our already impressive array of big ball carriers. However, arguably the retention of some of Sale’s biggest names after revised deals for Faf de Klerk and both the Du Preez and Curry brothers are perhaps Sale’s best signings. 

Whilst our opposition will focus on the power of Tuilagi and RJ van Rensburg in the midfield, I think some of the more acute quality in the squad often gets overlooked. For example, Sam James is an experienced creative playmaker whilst Faf de Klerk has proven he is a thorn in any opponent’s side.  

Sale sadly haven’t threatened the top of the table since the glory days of our 2006 squad featuring messrs Robinson and Chabal, however it’s looking like this season’s squad is back up there so targets are set high!

Saracens – Ollie Mann

As a Saracens fan you always expect a close battle between Exeter Chiefs for the race to Gallagher Premiership title. The word ‘relegation’ never came to mind, especially for the four times Premiership champions, who have dominated domestically and in Europe in recent times. 

This season has certainly been an interesting one, as many would quickly criticise Sarries for breaching rules on player wages. However, I truly believe the time in the Championship will not only develop the lower league, but English Rugby as a whole. Key players and British and Irish Lions have re-signed for the 2020/21 season, including; Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, Elliot Daly and potential Lions test captain candidates, Maro Itoje and England Captain Owen Farrell. 

Not only have these England players signed long term deals, younger English rising stars, such as Ralph Adams-Hale, Manu Vunipola and Joel Kpoku will become regular starters in the Championship and are players to watch out for in the future.

Academy graduates, including Ben Earl, Jack Singleton, Max Malins, Nick Isiekwe and Nick Tompkins, all go out on season-long loans to grow and develop their experiences and rugby knowledge, maintaining their positions as potential stars at the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.

With Bristol Bears building one of the best training grounds in rugby and signing a world class player like Semi Radradra, along with Sale Sharks signing England wrecking-ball Manu Tuilagi, next year may see a new champion and close competition for Exeter Chiefs. 

Saracens will bounce back stronger and so will the English rugby game.

Ulster – Ryan Saunders 

It has been an excellent season for the Ulstermen this year as we are currently sat 2nd and qualified for the Champions Cup next season! But it is the next 2 fixtures that stand between us and a place in the Guinness PRO14 semi-final.

Lockdown has been kind to us and the good news is Ulster have an almost fully fit squad with Iain Henderson the only first team regular ruled out for the rest of the season. More good news is that we’ve also signed Ian Madigan who will look to be competing with Billy Burns for the 10 jersey and add more flair to the squad.

The bad news is, we have to play an unbeaten Leinster side, at the Aviva Stadium, who put 54 points on us back in December (although we did reply with 42 of our own).

With Dublin born scrum-half, Cooney, feeding Madigan at 10 and with the power and speed of McCloskey and Stockdale in the backs, I’m very optimistic that Ulster will at least make it to the semi-finals, but whether or not we can go the whole way is another question. 

Stand up for the Ulstermen!