Spotlight On - The Aviva Premiership

In anticipation of the 2014/15 Aviva Premiership Season the Out On The Full Spotlight has shone on each of our Aviva Premiership Clubs in turn, from our new entrants London Welsh to the reigning Aviva Premiership Champions the Northampton Saints. Just in case you have missed any below you have the full set of Out On The Full Spotlights for you to enjoy at your leisure;

 

 

 

 

 

 

I do hope that you enjoy the full set of Aviva Premiership Spotlights and the Aviva Premiership Round 1 Preview is on it's way shortly!

Spotlight On - Northampton Saints

2 trophies in the space of 8 days was nothing short of what the Northampton Saints deserved to complete a stellar 2013/14 season. From their Round 1 win over Exeter Chiefs at Franklin’s Gardens they romped to victory after victory in the domestic competition and in Europe they showed equal amounts of heart and determination. Belief and desire drove them to their nail-biting home Aviva Premiership Semi Final victory over the Leicester Tigers and from thereon in you felt that the Final was always Saints’ to lose.

After such an emphatic season Mallinder's men are now marked men, as Tom Wood knows only too well; “There is now a big target on our heads, we don’t have a God-given right to be able to do it again. We have got to earn it all over again. We did last year through sheer hard work and if we go out now with a bit of strut and aura, then that will be a good thing.”

Northampton Saints’ chairman Tony Hewitt’s philosophy is that ‘stability breeds success’ and that is certainly evident in the Saints’ behaviour going into the 2014/15 season. Summer Signings have been few and far between in fact Joel Hodgson is the only new arrival. Joel arrives from the Newcastle Falcons where he quietly went out his business and let his rugby do the talking. He is still young and has a lot to learn however under the tutelage of Stephen Myler and attack coach Alex King I expect him to flourish over the next few years at Saints. Alex Day and Tom Stephenson both graduate from the academy and that completes Saints’ transfer activity. Is it a worrying lack of activity? Absolutely not, in fact I would go as far to say it is inspired and here is why. There are men in the squad that will feel that they didn’t fully show what they could do last year; Alex Corbisero will want an injury free season to really put his mark on his ‘new’ club and even the emphatic George North feels that he could have had a greater impact. The challenge of retaining their title will inspire a team that is packed with talent and firepower; from 1 to 15 they have World Class individuals with a desire to prove to the rugby world that their 2013/14 season wasn’t just a one off.  

The beautiful thing about the Northampton Saints is the fact that they are such a complete side, up front they are powerful and can bulldoze the best packs in the Aviva Premiership. At the back they have beautiful runners that make rugby look so easy. If I were to name individuals I'd be here until next year's Aviva Premiership Final, their talent is that strong. Some are saying that they could be exposed during the International periods and they may be right however as last season showed their squad depth is deceptively strong and should see them through without too many hitches.

The Saints will be a formidable force once again, there is no doubt about the fact that they will open the 2014/15 Aviva Premiership Season with a bang at Franklin’s Gardens against a hugely pumped up Gloucester Rugby side. The intensity and fireworks during the match will set the tone for the entire Aviva Premiership and it will be sensational to watch. Jim Mallinder is a great Director of Rugby and in his hands he has one of the most talented squads in the competition. For the Northampton Saints retaining their Aviva Premiership title is the ultimate objective and it will be fascinating to see whether they can replicate their unforgettable year or even go one better and bag three trophies in 2015!!

Spotlight On - London Welsh

On Wednesday 4th June 2014 London Welsh secured promotion to the Aviva Premiership; their road to the top flight competition was long and ardouous and they had to fight tooth and nail to get there, but get there they did and their reward is a second bite at the Aviva Premiership cherry.

Having not spent too much time with the side I took the opportunity to visit their London home, Old Deer Park, in order to get to know our new recruits a little better. From the moment that I walked in what struck me the most was the absolute togetherness of the squad. It certainly wasn't something that was expecting to find from a side that recently acquired over twenty new players. The club was buzzing, it was filled with excitement and quite simply it was a great place to be.

London Welsh is what you would call a proper rugby club, it has old school values and is far from flashy. The Welsh way is 'to show an unrelenting commitment to the club, work extremely hard and do anything for London Welsh'. Those are the words of Club Captain Tom May, he and the rest of the senior team stated clearly that at Welsh they have absolutely no time for individuals that are looking for the limelight or for people with egos. Instead it is and always will be all about the rugby. 

Two years ago they fought the Premiership battle and lost, so a key question is are they better equipped this time? Club Chairman Bleddyn Phillips believes so due to a number of reasons; first they have enjoyed an extra month of preparation time and no distractions from any 'legal shenanigans' off the pitch. Second  he believes that they have a deeper squad in terms of skills and a stronger sense of spirit than before. Finally and maybe most importantly they know what to expect having competed in the Aviva Premiership once already. Full Back Seb Jewell remembers their last campaign and in his words it feels ‘massively different to last time’. Two years ago there was almost a sense of being a little star struck at the prospect of Aviva Premiership Rugby however this time around the side have a ‘full on, we mean business attitude’ and will not be bowing down to anyone. 

It would be remiss of me to not speak about Welsh’s new signings, of which they are many. The mix is vast, from an experienced All Black to those cherry picked from the Championship and below. Right now the true stars are unknown, you suspect the ‘funny little fella’ as Justin Burnell calls him; Piri Weepu, to shine however if he does, he will not be alone. After a great season at Harlequins there are high expectations for Tim Molenaar and of course former Gloucester man Olly Barkley. Their signings are designed to complement Welsh's existing players and with the talent and experience of individuals like Tom May, Matt Corker, Richard Thorpe, Seb Stegmann and Seb Jewell, Justin Burnell's squad is a strong one. 

Progression, being competitive and most of all doing themselves justice are critical objectives for all at London Welsh. In seven days time they will run out at the Kassam ready for the huge journey ahead of them. There isn't any doubt about the fact that this year will be a step up however with such a superb Head Coach at the helm in terms of his experience and character and one of the strongest cultures in the Aviva Premiership you cannot help but believe that London Welsh will achieve their objectives. If Aviva Premiership survival is the ultimate result of that then it will have been another tremendous and memorable season for all at the Club. 

See the Out On The Full Photos from the launch --> here

Spotlight On - Newcastle Falcons

The Newcastle Falcons certainly left it fairly late to secure their Aviva Premiership place for the 2014/15 season however secure it they did. Now they are now bounding into the new season with a spring in their step and a number of new faces in their ranks.

The statistics from last season don’t really do the Falcons justice, they recorded only one win at home and just three in total, however within their losses they played some good rugby and showed many flashes of real inspiration. For Dean Richards the task is taking these periods of inspiration and developing them into a solid and consistent 80 minute performances from them.

The Falcons are under no illusions about the forthcoming season; it will be a challenge however it is one that they feel they are ready for after an intense summer of conditioning and refinement. In sport, at any level, belief is a critical factor, the mind can be a powerful thing and it is something that Captain Will Welch is acutely aware of. His focus is upwards and he has tasked his side to wholeheartedly believe in themselves and their abilities.

With a brand spanking new pitch Newcastle are aspiring to continue to develop their game plan, the aim is up tempo rugby showcasing an expansive and exciting style of play. This game plan goes back to that word again, belief, in order to play eyes up rugby you cannot be afraid, you have to showcase a little swagger and ultimately back yourself from one to fifteen. Competition for starting jerseys will help to pull out the best in individuals during training and matches; I’ve certainly got my eye on the half backs with Mike Blair and Warren Fury competing at Scrum Half and Phil Godman and Rory Clegg at fly half. Up front the development of England’s Kieran Brookes and Scotland’s Scott Lawson will be great to watch whilst the entrance of Rob Hawkins adds further stability. 

Of all Newcastle’s Summer Signings the most well known are the Tuilagi’s with Alesana and Anitelea joining the first team squad and Brian the academy. Alesana and Anitelea are likely to be thrown straight into the starting XV to face off against their younger brother Manu in just over a week’s time and I for one cannot wait to see what their impact will be in that game and over the course of the season. Uili Kolo'ofai has also shown great promise during pre-season and Dean Richards believes that he has only just scratched the surface of what his new Tongan lock can do.

The Newcastle Falcons have an intense season ahead of them; from the first block of games to the very last the pressure will be on however their focus should be on the execution of their own game plan and increasing their performance levels from week to week. After an extremely solid pre-season now is the time for the Falcons to step into the Aviva Premiership ring, totally fearless and simply go for broke. 

Spotlight On - Exeter Chiefs

Since their rise to the Aviva Premiership five years ago the Exeter Chiefs have gone about their business in a quiet and un-assuming manner. They have been determined and professional and last season they were finally rewarded with their first piece of silverware; the LV Cup. It was a historic moment for the Club and hugely deserved.  

The Exeter way stems from sheer hard work as Dean Mumm described to me; “We are a hard working side, the points and wins that we do get we work very hard for them. We have an attacking mentality; we like to run it from everywhere, maybe to our detriment sometimes!! Finding that balance is a continual struggle for us but we like to play hard working, attacking, up tempo rugby.”

With the squad that they have heading into the 2014/15 season, and indeed the individuals that were present last year you can see why this game plan should be a formula for success. In their back line they house a multitude of threats with Phil Dollman, Tom James and the mercurial Fetu'u Vainikolo; eyes up, running rugby comes naturally to these men and when it works it is a joy to watch. In Gareth Steenson the Chiefs have one of the most underrated fly halves in the whole of the Aviva Premiership; his ability to dictate games and his accuracy off the kicking tee is second to none and will be absolutely critical. However Steenson isn’t assured a starting place every week as young Henry Slade continues to develop at a rate of knots. Henry is just one of the Chiefs' young hot shots the others include Jack Nowell, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Sam Hill. All have a huge amount to learn however to a man they have already proved that they can compete with the best of the Premiership and their development will be exciting to watch. 

It is clear that the squad is packed with talent however last season, particularly towards the end of the year, they had an issue finishing off games. This is something their Captain  is fully aware of and it has been focused on during their off-season;

“We lost a number of games by less than 7 last year, sadly for us a number of those were at home and even more heartbreaking was the fact that we were leading many coming into the last 20 minutes. Ultimately you don’t want to be in the position where a penalty goal or a try can change the result of the game, so it is about taking the opportunities when they present themselves across the game however when we do get in that situation we are going to be a little bit smarter in the way that we play. Whatever the context is we want to come out of those situations with wins, when you win three or four of those games it completely changes how you finish your season. “

The Chiefs have already started to put these words into practice after pulling back from a 21-8 deficit against Ulster to win 22-21 in their recent run out. Winning tight games is a skill and a habit and whilst some clubs are downplaying pre-season the Chiefs aren't underestimating the significance of their three from three record and the manner in which they have attained it.

This season isn’t about radically changing anything at Sandy Park, their systems, playing and coaching personnel are all more than capable of delivering consistent wins and pushing for the top flight European Competition again. Instead the focus will be on accurately executing their game plan and continuing to showcase the Exeter way. The Chiefs will be boosted by their Tribe and the unique sound of the Tomahawk Chop and now it is time for Rob Baxter’s men to press on once again in the Aviva Premiership. 

Spotlight On - Leicester Tigers

The Leicester Tigers and the phrase empty handed do not fit well together… they have been an ever present fixture in the Aviva Premiership Final for as long as any of us can remember however last season their summer break started earlier than expected. Richard Cockerill’s assessment of it all was as pragmatic as ever; ‘I dislike losing but you have to dust yourself off, show a bit character, regroup and carry on.’

If you look at the Tigers’ 2013/14 season closely their narrow loss to Northampton Saints in the Semi Final was actually a fairly heroic effort due to the injuries that ravaged their squad throughout the season. They fielded 13 or 14 different midfield combinations, the wrecking ball that is Manu Tuilagi played just six games for the club and on a regular basis they had to ransack the depths of their squad/academy to field a match day twenty three. However during the course of such a difficult season individuals stepped up to the mark and shone and the Leicester Tigers, like so many other clubs, are going into the 2014/15 season a stronger side thanks to their injury woes.

It takes a lot to be signed as a Tiger, the door isn’t opened to everyone but for those that are allowed through they must prove their worth quickly. This season Freddie Burns, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Seremaia Bai, Christian Loamanu, Michele Rizzo and veteran Brad Thorn are the key names that are currently earning their stripes. The signing of Freddie Burns from Gloucester is the one that has generated the most attention and headlines over the past three months. Before England’s three tests in New Zealand there were individuals saying that Tigers should ask for a refund however following two strong performances in the red rose of England and a healthy pre-season those statements have been quickly retracted. Most recently Brad Thorn's arrived at Welford Road with a Super Rugby Title, World Cup and Heineken Cup under his belt, he is experienced, raring to go and the ultimate professional. 

This season the development of a number of Tigers squad members will be fascinating to watch. Blaine Scully entered on a short term contract last year and made a name for himself quickly, Jamie Gibson’s first season ended with him taking the ‘Newcomer of the Year’ title at their end of season awards and the return to full fitness of Miles Benjamin, Geoff Parling and Tom Croft will ignite all Tigers fans and indeed fans of Premiership Rugby as a whole. 

Richard Cockerill has identified defence as a key area to work on for his side, last season the Tigers conceded 41 tries, 10 more than the eventual Aviva Premiership Champions and in his eyes that simply isn't good enough. He has highlighted an improvement on his player's tackle technique and physicality on the gain line when they don't have the ball. 

Six from six will be the objective for the start of the Aviva Premiership and although outwardly the words ‘one game at a time’ will be uttered we all know the high standards that are expected in the East Midlands. The rest of the Aviva Premiership should be wary and should expect nothing less than all-out war from Cockers’ men because just like their Director of Rugby they hate to lose. 

Aviva Premiership Rugby 2014/15 Launch

Aviva Premiership Rugby, how we all have missed it, in just nine days time the first of the 2014/15 matches will kick off and today marked the formal end of the off-season as Twickenham Stadium hosted the Aviva Premiership Season Launch. It was a whirlwind day for all involved and the atmosphere at the launch was one of joyous anticipation with every single person in attendance sensing that this season is going to be something truly special and one that takes the Aviva Premiership to another level.

Over the course of the 2013/14 season just under 8 million viewers watched the Aviva Premiership action on BT Sport and the broadcasting team’s anchor, Craig Doyle, was at Twickenham to introduce this year's campaign. Craig was joined by the Chairman of Premiership Rugby Quentin Smith, Northampton Saints’ Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder and London Welsh’s Head Coach Justin Burnell for a top table press conference. Jim looked relaxed and refreshed after the euphoria of last year’s win whilst Justin showed no signs of fatigue following a busy summer of Premiership preparations. The most telling comment from Mr Mallinder was regarding the intensity of the forthcoming competition; "There aren’t going to be any easy matches this year, no team is going to dare to put out a weakened side against anyone.’ Whilst Justin was candid about his expectations for newcombers London Welsh; “We want to do ourselves proud. We are here to compete and we’ll pick up the wins and points where we can.” Finally Craig also revealed that BT Sport will be announcing a number of new signings to boost their on screen team over the coming weeks.

Following the Press Conference it was time for the media session in which all of the Directors of Rugby/Head Coaches and Captains were available for interviews. I took the opportunity to speak to a number of the Captains to find out from the men on the ground exactly how they were feeling. The overarching sentiment from all was summed up perfectly by Leicester's Geoff Parling when he said; “Pre-Season is... well pre-season!!! It has been good but we just want to get on the pitch now and play some matches!!” Dean Mumm was the most frustrated Captain as his rehab was preventing him from having a ‘proper pre-season’. In spite of his personal frustration he was extremely pleased with how his side have acquitted themselves over the summer and excited at their prospects. Exeter’s clear target, like others, is to turn their near losses into wins and Dean spoke to me their ambition to play playing ‘smarter rugby’this season in order to do so. George Skivington described the energy at London Irish as 'the highest it has ever been before' and Tom May said that London Welsh are ready to kick on from where they left off last season in the Championship and are ready for the challenge ahead.   

It was a stunning launch event, the players and their management cannot wait to start the year and every single side has a point to prove. At this moment in time we have no idea which sides will flourish and which will fall just short, in fact the only thing that we can be truly certain of is that 2014/15 Aviva Premiership Competition will make for compelling viewing. 

See the Out On The Full Photos --> Here

Spotlight On - London Irish

Things are certainly looking up for London Irish; they have new owners, a suite of new signings to boost their squad and a brand new multi-million pound home, Hazelwood. Excitement and energy at the club is at an all time high, from the players to the backroom team everyone feels that now that these fundamental foundations are in place it is time for the club to press on and work their way back up the Aviva Premiership table.

The Exiles’ 2013/14 season was inconsistent; they recorded away wins over Harlequins and Saracens and yet they failed to deliver on a weekly basis and ended up on the wrong side of many close results. In spite of this a number of their lesser known signings shone and showcased their talents to the rest of the Aviva Premiership. Eamonn Sheridan and Fergus Mulchrone developed a prolific centre partnership whilst Blair Cowen showed exactly how it should be done in the back row. Blair’s breakdown prowess and work-rate was up there with the very best and the manner in which he attacks the game bears more than a striking resemblance to a certain Jacques Burger. Out wide, winger Andrew Fenby led the way in terms of try scoring as he touched down 13 times in 23 appearances and young Alex Lewington showed huge promise during his time on the field. With a season of Aviva Premiership rugby firmly under their belts all of these players should press on and showcase even more in the 2014/15 season. 

There are two Irish players that are returning to the field this year after long term injuries and both will make a huge difference for Brian Smith’s side; Tom Homer and Halani Aulika. Halani's prowess and experience at scrum time was sorely missed last year, the Tongan is fearless and can only be described as a bulldozer and I mean that in the very best way. Halani also scores tries for fun, in his last full season (2013/14) he scored 11 in total and was the Club’s top try scorer... not too shabby for a prop!!! Tom Homer made only six appearances last season and looked slightly cautious during them however after a strong, injury free, pre-season he is ready to take the Aviva Premiership by storm. Tom is a naturally talented footballer, he is secure under the high ball, has a huge boot and spots gaps that the rest of us can’t see. His high percentage place kicking will be critical to keep Irish's scoreboard ticking over and could prove the difference when it comes to their tight clashes. 

Signings wise the Exiles have gained a blend of youth and experience, Daniel Leo and Luke Narraway both come from Perpignan and Leo looks like he is going to be more than a handful in the centre. Scott Steele is a young scrum half from Leicester who will push Tomas O’Leary all the way and Tom Guest and James Short arrive from Harlequins and Wasps/Saracens respectively. Tom's talent is known to us all already from his time at Harlequins and for me he is the signing of the season for Irish whilst James Short is a close second. James is a prolific finisher and with a two year contract under his belt he can settle at Hazelwood and progress forwards.

Expectations outside the club aren’t high for Irish however that doesn’t faze forwards coach Glenn Delaney; 'we've got to earn the right to have higher expectations and that needs to translate into our league campaign'.  Earning that right starts on Saturday 6th September at Twickenham against their fiercest rivals Harlequins. On paper the Exiles are the underdogs however it is a rivalry that brings out the best in them and the fact that the two sides have traded a couple of key men over the summer, Guest & Yarde, means that this year’s first round derby has an added bit of spice!

As a collective The Exiles have a point to prove to the Aviva Premiership because their ambitions are much higher than their recent campaigns have delivered. A reliance on the luck of the Irish will not be enough; instead consistency will be king for Brian Smith’s men as they aim to shock this year. 

Spotlight On - Sale Sharks

‘The only team to have ever been bottom at Christmas and survived’ that was the label that the Sale Sharks carried into the 2013/14 season and it meant that many people’s expectations for them last year were low. The thoughts and predictions of others mattered little to Steve Diamond and his squad; instead they kept their heads down, believed in their systems and calmly went about their business. By the following Christmas they were in 8th position, 22 points ahead of bottom placed Worcester and a world away from their previous festive woes. From that point on they continued to climb up the table, they secured a coveted European spot and erased all near relegation memories in the progress.

Behind the scenes things progressed positively too, their management structure settled and at the helm Steve Diamond flourished. Dimes is a straight talking, no nonsense Director of Rugby and nothing fazes him. If others are thinking it then he will probably say it and his ability to get the best out of his players is second to none. Supporters and staff alike were disappointed to lose Dwayne Peel, James Gaskell, Henry Thomas and Rob Miller to other clubs however their replacements have a great blend of youth and expertise. Diamond does not flash the clash, instead he is a savvy business man and has purchased well. 37 year old Nathan Hines tops the age and experience charts and he is joined by Chris Cusiter, Alberto De Marchi, Luke McLean, Darren Fearn and Magnus Lund. All have their eyes on a starting jersey and competition within the squad is at an all time high. In my eyes Chris Cusiter has the largest shoes to fill as last season Dwayne Peel was outstanding and along with Danny Cipriani created the solid half back axis that was the fulcrum for all things positive at Sale.

The Sale Sharks don’t show off, they play consistent and pure rugby, Michael Paterson runs their line out like clockwork, Mark Cueto finishes almost everything in sight and Captain Dan Braid has one of the highest work-rates in the Premiership and always leads by example. Will the Sharks be allowed to go under the radar once again this season? You suspect not, instead the eyes of the Premiership will be on them and this year I'm certain that teams will be prepared for Diamond’s men. Europe will stretch this side, their group is nothing short of horrendous with Saracens, ASM Clermont Auvergne and Munster Rugby however there is little point worrying about that just yet.

'Keep your head down, work extremely hard and prove yourself to your team mates and the coaches' that is the Sharks' philosophy as explained to me by Mark Cueto and it is one that should hold them in good stead for the 2014/15 season. With their new signings and their key men Sale have the ability to produce the unexpected; Cipriani has so much more in the locker and now has the maturity to know when to let his maverick tendencies out whilst figures like Sam Tuitupou and Tom Arscott have plenty of tricks up their sleeves. Yes their 2014/15 season will be stretching; however there isn’t any reason why it shouldn’t be a fruitful one again for Steve Diamond’s men.

Post Match Interview with Jamie George

Saracens' are deep into their Pre-Season schedule on Thursday 21st August in the heart of the City they recorded a comfortable 39-5 win over Ospreys. After the match I spoke to their Hooker Jamie George, who explained how the squad are moving on from last season's trauma and what lies ahead for Saracens in the 2014/15 season.

listen to ‘Interview with Jamie George’ on Audioboo

See Saracens ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Photos Here

Spotlight On - Saracens

The statistics from Saracens’ 2013/14 Aviva Premiership season make for impressive reading; they recorded 19 wins and just 3 losses, they had the most points scored and they notched up the most try bonus points. However as we all know when it came down to the final hurdle things didn't go to plan as both the Heineken Cup and the Aviva Premiership Trophy were lifted by their opponents. It is difficult for us as outsiders to comprehend just how tough it must have been to lose both, especially given the manner in which the Aviva Premiership Final ended and I expect that there are some individuals within Saracens' squad that haven't got over the losses and in fact never will do. 

Signings have been few and far between at Allianz Park, indeed they have made just four, only the Northampton Saints and Harlequins have made fewer. Jim Hamilton arrives to fill the gap left in the engine room, Kieran Longbottom and Juan Figallo replace Matt Stevens and Mike Ellery switches from 7s to the XVs game. Is their lack of signings a problem? In a word, no. The depth that was already housed within the Saracens squad is mighty; being able to effectively use a rotational policy and maintain such a high standard of rugby is testament to the calibre of their existing squad. Trying to single out one individual for praise when you have the names Strettle, Bosch, Hodgson, Brits, Burger, Farrell, Ashton, Goode, Barritt and Vunipola x2 on the squad list is near-on impossible, as stated their power lies in their depth. However it must be pointed out that the loss of one man; Steve Borthwick, is a great one. Both on and off the field he gave so much to the club and new captain Alistair Hargreaves knows that he has some extremely large shoes to fill. In saying that Al has the full backing of his Director Of Rugby Mark McCall who describes his as 'ideally qualified' and he should thrive on the responsibility handed to him. 

In all honesty Saracens don’t need to change their game plan from last season, their backs play inventive rugby, their forwards dominate the set piece and when it comes to the breakdown they clean up. Saracens used to be branded as boring, they used to be called un-inventive however anyone that watched the 2013/14 Aviva Premiership season will know those days are a long gone. David Strettle and Co consistently make breaks and run back line moves that any Aviva Premiership team would be proud of and in Schalk Brits they have the most complete Hooker in the competition; he has the technical skills of a forward and the feet and vision of the back... he is one of a kind. Collectively the Wolfpack tear teams apart and driven by such frustration and hurt they will be more ferocious than ever.

Only Saracens will be able to tell you why their Heineken Cup and Aviva Premiership Finals didn't pan out in the way that they imagined and why key moments and pressure points didn't go their way. This year they will do everything in their power to not let this happen again, in the Aviva Premiership they must be consistent and clinical and in Europe they will have to be giants with Munster, ASM Clermont Auvergne and the Sale Sharks standing in their way. 

Spotlight On - Wasps Rugby

Wasps' 2013/14 Season carried on long after many other sides had jetted off on their off – season holidays however their extra weeks of training were all worthwhile as on the 24th May they secured their place in the European Champions Cup in emphatic style out in Paris. The match was the pinnacle of their season, they delivered a full eighty minute performance and it has now set the benchmark that Dai Young and his coaches expect from their side, nothing less will suffice.

Wasps are a club with a huge amount of history, a history that is filled with silverware and during their golden age they were the leaders of the pack setting the standard in the both domestic and European competitions. However over the past couple of years it is fair to say that they have had a tough run of it. A squad’s transition period is always a difficult time however with the signings that Wasps have made over the summer and the potential housed within their squad there is a feeling that now it is time for the men in Black and Gold to start to flourish again.

James Haskell has just been handed the Captaincy, he is a figure that polarises opinions, some believe his eye is off the ball with his business commitments however from speaking to him on many occasions I can confirm that he is totally focused on his rugby and achieving as much as possible for his Club and if given the opportunity his Country. James forms part of a hugely talented back row that illustrates the depth that Wasps now have. Ashley Johnson, Sam Jones, Guy Thompson and Nathan Hughes all are competing to start, they are a powerful set of individuals and the competitiveness knowing that some will miss out will drive them all on. The back row isn't the only area of the field where there is such depth, on the wings and in the centres individuals that were 'guaranteed' starters last year are now having to watch their backs and stake their claims strongly in training and in matches due to new signings or fit again players. 

Wasps well known signings are astute ones; they poached two of Sale's prized possessions James Gaskell and Rob Miller, Ruaridh Jackson and Bradley Davies arrive from the Glasgow Warriors and the Cardif Blues respectively whilst Alapeti Leuia spent last season making waves in Super Rugby. Their most recent signing was as a fortunate bit of business as Salosi Tagicakibau joins after a difficult time at London Irish. All of these signings house an abundance of riches in their respective armouries and mean that Wasps' across the board are stronger than last year. Their 2014/15 squad has a much greater depth to it which will be critical when it comes to balancing the demands of the Aviva Premiership and the European Champions Cup.  

Wasps’ start to their season is what you would call ‘testing’ with Saracens, Northampton Saints, Harlequins, Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks and Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership before heading over to Dublin to take on Leinster. It isn't a start for the fainthearted and you sense that their results over these first seven matches could make or break this young side. Belief will be vital for Young’s squad; they must be confident in their abilities and develop that killer instinct to be able to close out the tightest of matches on a weekly basis. They have the potential to surprise a few people this season, however potential must be translated to practice in order for Wasps to climb back up towards the dizzy heights that they once reached.  

Saracens In The City

The Honourable Artillery Company, or HAC as it is known, is nestled deep in the heart of London’s financial district and is the home of the oldest serving regiment in the British Army. As an active Territorial Army regiment, members of the HAC serve with the regular army in Afghanistan and provide ceremonial honour guards at major London events. Its rugby pitch is one of the most valuable in the world due to cost in real estate terms of the land that it sits on. Tomorrow, Thursday 21st August, Saracens will borrow this stunning venue for another of their ‘Saracens In The City’ fixtures, this time taking on the Ospreys. Mark McCall’s men have a great track record at The HAC having recorded wins over Gloucester Rugby, Cornish Pirates and Stade Francais to name but a few.

Saracens are deep into their pre-season preparations, like all of their Aviva Premiership rivals they have endured weeks of gruelling conditioning and now they are finally allowed to face an opposition. Last Friday Night they hosted London Scottish at Allianz Park and in spite of scoring six tries it wasn’t a perfect performance. The major positive was the fact that it gave some key men game time including newcomer Jim Hamilton, their young talents Maro Itoje and Nathan Earle and a fit again flanker Will Fraser who played his first sixty minutes of rugby since December 2013.

This match against Ospreys will be a step up again, whilst we are waiting for the team news with talent like Dan Biggar, Josh Matavesi, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric in their squad you know that the Welsh will bring bundles of physicality and flair with them to The HAC. For Saracens it is time to unleash a number of their ‘big guns’ and test some of their new moves because the London Double Header is just over two weeks away and now is the time to get serious.

The HAC, Moorgate is quite unlike any other city venue, it is a stunning location and Thursday night’s match is the perfect excuse to clock off work early and enjoy a spot of fast paced and competitive rugby.

Important Details; Tickets; http://www.saracens.com/hac/ Gates Open 4.15pm, Teams Warm Up 5pm and Kick Off 6.15pm 

Saracens; 15. Alex Goode; 14. Chris Wyles, 13. Tim Streather, 12. Brad Barritt, 11. David Strettle; 10. Charlie Hodgson, 9. Richard Wigglesworth; 1. Richard Barrington, 2. Jamie George, 3. Kieran Longbottom, 4. Alistair Hargreaves (Capt), 5. George Kruis, 6. Kelly Brown, 7. Will Fraser, 8. Billy Vunipola. Replacements; 16. Scott Spurling, 17. Rhys Gill, 18. Petrus Du Plessis, 19. Jim Hamilton, 20. Hayden Smith, 21. Matt Hankin, 22. Maro Itoje, 23. Jackson Wray, 24. Ben Spencer, 25 Nils Mordt, 26. Duncan Taylor, 27. Nick Tompkins, 28. Jack Wilson, 29. Aaron Morris, 30. Ben Ransom.

Ospreys; 15 Richard Fussell; 14 Eli Walker, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Jeff Hassler; 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb; 1 Nicky Smith, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 4 Lloyd Peers (Capt), 5 Rynier Bernardo, 6 Tyler Ardron, 7 Sam Lewis, 8 Morgan Allen Replacements; 16 Sam Parry, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Cai Griffiths, 19 James King, 20 Dan Baker, 21 Tom Habberfield, 22 Dan Evans, 23 Jonathan Spratt, 24 Tom Grabham

Spotlight On - Harlequins

Harlequins’ 2013/14 season was a tough one, it was what you would call ‘character building’ for Conor O’Shea, his coaching team and the players; week after week they had to contend with more and more injuries and like Leicester had to delve into the depths of their academy to field a match-day twenty three. However like top sides do they rallied and prospered winning their last four games in a row through sheer determination and they progressed to the domestic playoffs. Alas Saracens at Allianz Park was a step too far however the season ended with many wondering ‘what if’... what if Harlequins had, had a fully fit squad for more than a tiny part of the season? What if O’Shea was able to build from week to week with his first choice men? What could they have achieved?

Now, in August 2014, all of that ‘character building’ looks to have been a blessing in disguise because individuals like Dave Ward, Kyle Sinckler and Charlie Matthews have so much more Premiership experience under their belts and are chomping at the bit to get more. Whilst we all know that there are other names that will be the first on the Harlequins’ team sheet depth is what makes their 2014/15 squad an exciting one with strong prospects for the season ahead.

As exciting as their side may be however in their pre-season campaign they have a zero from two record however it doesn’t faze their Director of Rugby in the slightest, speaking to him after their 17-17 draw against Pau he explained why;

“It’s pre-season... it is about combinations, trying to get people fit and fresh and thinking long term. We put in a huge amount of hard work in last week on our training camp and then trained Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday this week right into the game and that is going to tire people. It is not about playing and winning matches it is about trying different combinations and getting your game plan. I always call it the honeymoon; everyone says great things and talks about how brilliant they are going to be but it all starts on the 6th of September.”

On that Saturday Harlequins will head over the road to what they like to call ‘The Big Stoop’ to face their local rivals London Irish. The two sides know each other well, indeed they have traded individuals over the off season, Tom Guest to Irish, Marland Yarde to Harlequins and should they both be selected they each have personals points to prove to their coaches.  However the match itself will be about the collectives and if the form book is right then Harlequins should start their 2014/15 season victorious. Their half back axis of Nick Evans and Danny Care screams class, Nick Easter's years of experience are unrivaled and they have an abundance of riches on the wings with Charlie Walker, Marland Yarde, Ugo Monye and Tom Williams. Elsewhere their England leaders, Mike Brown, Joe Marler and Chris Robshaw are the driving force of a side whose ambitions are greater than their recent achievements.

Harlequins is not an attritional squad, 20 players have made more than 50 appearances for the club, 9 of those 100+ Club Caps and 4 over 200.  Signings are not the be all and end all at Harlequins in fact they take a lot of pride in growing their own, the systems that O’Shea and his team put in place work and as a group they are an extremely tight-knit bunch. This side will have one eye firmly fixed on the European Competition as well as the Aviva Premiership, in Europe they have Castres, Wasps and Leinster to contend with and certainly it is a slightly milder group than last year's battles with Clermont, Scarlets and Racing Metro but only just. On the whole Harlequins 2014/15 season should be one that excites and delights their supporters and should provide us all with weekly visual treats of high tempo and effective rugby. 

Defining Moments for Women's Rugby

England Champions of the World, England Women World Cup Champions, England Women World Cup Winners, however you choose to phrase it, we will never tire of hearing it. For Gary Street, his squad and the entire backroom team their road to victory was long and arduous however last night’s reward soothed all of the pain and heartache and truly means the world. In Paris I hope that the party continued long into the night, for nights like that are few and far between and must be cherished. In England this morning we woke to the sight of Katy McLean and her team on the front pages of the newspapers; The Independent, The Telegraph and The Times all proudly displayed the image that will go down in the history of rugby and that in itself is a defining moment for the Women’s game. Over the past 17 days we have witnessed Women’s rugby take centre stage and receive coverage far greater than I believe anyone closely involved with the game would have expected. Sports bulletins, radio shows and papers were odd ones out if they didn’t have news of the Women’s Rugby World Cup and this morning’s headlines are the pinnacle of that.

In today’s society young girls are bombarded by images of women to aspire to, most are 'celebrities' associated with reality television programmes or are models, of all kinds, however I hope that this Women’s Rugby World Cup along with other sports are inspiring our youth. Sport, and indeed rugby, gives and teaches so much to those that are involved in the game. Discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership are all key lessons learned through participation and another extremely important feature is that lifelong friends are made in the process. It sounds cliché however if you have ever played in a team sport you will know exactly what I mean, the bonds that you develop are akin to the closeness of a family. As a team you spend hours working together to achieve something, whether that be your first ever win, your first clean sheet or up indeed a World Cup Winners Medal. Nothing comes close to matching the relationships that you develop and it is my hope that young women everywhere now wish to experience this because of witnessing tournaments like this one.

This 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup has showcased Women’s Rugby in its full glory and I wish that it has erased many unfounded and longstanding stigmas surrounding the game. As Danielle Waterman said with her winners medal around her neck, the girls she coaches are the future of the game and if her and this World Cup Winning side have inspired them then they have positioned the game it a great place to push on and develop. Of course the term professionalisation will be discussed at length now; personally I’m not knowledgeable enough about the intricacies of the amateur to professional pathway to be able to comment fully on this however I hope that it is in the pipeline for the fastest growing women’s sport in the world.  

Over the course of this tournament England Women have placed Women’s Rugby at the forefront of everyone’s minds, they have given young women new role models to aspire to, they have showcased to the world their athleticism and skills and have achieved their dreams in the process. These are all defining moments for the sport and the biggest wish is that this Women’s Rugby World Cup catapults the sport forward in the UK and across the world and leaves legacy that changes the Women’s Rugby, for the better, forever. 

#453760256 / gettyimages.com

Women's Rugby World Cup Final 2014

They say that it is always third time lucky, well for England today they are hoping that it will be fourth time lucky as they run out against Canada in the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup Final. Since that devastating three point loss to New Zealand at The Stoop on Sunday 5th September 2010 winning this Final has been the ultimate goal. Now, the trophy is in touching distance and at the Stade Jean Bouin they will run out to it, sitting there teasing them, saying take me if you dare.

The journey to this point has been far from easy, the sacrifices made to play the game at this level are numerous; hours of training on top of day jobs, cancelled social commitments and juggling family responsibilities. This group of women are professionals of their trade and these sacrifices will make success taste that little bit sweeter and defeat hurt more than you or I could ever imagine.

Captain Katy McLean like many other members of the squad remember the 2010 Final well but says things are different now; “All I can go on is the feel, this feels different for us. We are in a better place, we are in a happier place.”

England’s 2014 Final opponents are Canada, a side that have never reached this stage in the competition before however this tournament they have showcased their ability to play a superb brand of rugby. Led by their inspirational captain Kelly Russell, the tremendous feet of Magali Harvey and their physical forwards the Canadians bulldozed their way through their Semi Final beating twenty two French players and breaking twenty thousand French fans’ hearts in the process.

One lingering question remains; is this a game too far for Canada? Will they fall to the same fate as Ireland as suffer from burn out? From an English perspective you can but hope, with a neutral hat on I expect not. Precision, heart and levelheadedness will be three critical components for England. They are all talented players and they all know their game plan inside out, the focus must be on the execution. A huge first twenty minutes is a must... clawing back a deficit in a game of rugby is achievable however clawing back a World Cup Final is a lot more difficult.  

This will be a brutal game of rugby; the physicality will be greater than anything that we have seen this tournament, with eye-watering breakdowns and colossal scrums. There will be no regard for personal safety from any member of either side and the hits will reverberate loudly around the Stade Jean Bouin.  In the backs both sides house world class talents for Canada Magali Harvey and Elissa Alarie are the standouts whilst Danielle Waterman, Emily Scarratt and Kat Merchant light up the English backline. Maggie Alponsi will take charge of the breakdown and the force of Rochelle Clark, Victoria Fleetwood and Sophie Hemming will be essential to tame the Canadians at the set piece. England's match day twenty two is filled with experience, 1,180 worth of experience and they'll need every single ounce of it.

As with any match the outcome is unpredictable, however there are a couple things that we can be sure of. First, is that the atmosphere will be nothing like any of the players have ever experienced before, the Stade Jean Bouin will be packed to the rafters and the support will be deafening. Second, this match will be the pinnacle of what has already been an opinion changing and history making tournament. To England and Canada I wish them both well, there isn't a greater honour than representing your country in a World Cup Final. It will be a day to remember and for England the hope is that it will end in victory having proved that it can be fourth time lucky.

England; 15 Danielle Waterman (Bristol) 14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester) 13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield) 12 Rachael Burford (Thurrock) 11 Kay Wilson (Bristol) 10 Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) 9 Natasha Hunt (Lichfield) 1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester) 2 Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield) 3 Sophie Hemming (Bristol) 4 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) 5 Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps) 6 Marlie Packer (Wasps) 7 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens) 8 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield) Replacements: 16 Emma Croker (Richmond) 17 Laura Keates (Worcester)  18 Rebecca Essex (Richmond) 19 Alexandra Matthews (Richmond) 20 La Toya Mason (Wasps) 21 Ceri Large (Worcester) 22 Claire Allan (Richmond)

Canada; 15. Julianne Zussman (Town of Mount Royal RFC) 14. Magali Harvey (Club de Rugby Quebec) 13. Mandy Marchak (Capilano RFC) 12. Andrea Burk (Capilano RFC) 11. Jessica Dovanne (Velox RFC) 10. Emily Belchos (Markham Irish RFC) 9. Elissa Alarie (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Club) 1. Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid (Club de Rugby Quebec) 2. Kim Donaldson (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club) 3. Hilary Leith (Capilano RFC) 4. Latoya Blackwood (St. Anne de Bellevue) 5. Maria Samson (Calgary Hornets) 6. Jacey Murphy (Aurora Barbarians) 7. Karen Paquin (Club de Rugby Quebec) 8. Kelly Russell (Toronto Nomads) Replacements; 16. Laura Russell (Toronto Nomads) 17. Olivia DeMerchant (Woodstock Wildmen) 18. Mary-Jane Kirby (Highland RFC) 19. Tyson Beukeboom (Aurora Barbarians) 20. Kayla Mack (Wild Oats RFC) 21. Julia Sugawara (Burnaby Lake RFC) 22. Brittany Waters (Meraloma Athletic Club) 

Greatest Test - England Women

Today England Women face their toughest test since that heartbreaking World Cup Final four years ago. In the 2014 tournament their job is only half done, their matches against Samoa and Spain were straightforward enough and the Canadians provided a physical and mental workout however today's meeting with Ireland will be fiercest test of all. 

It now comes down to eighty minutes of rugby after years of sweat, blood and tears. There isn't time to be scared or overawed by the repercussions of winning or losing, from one to twenty two Street's women must show unrelenting belief and deliver the game of their lives. They must leave nothing out there for this match is the first of two World Cup Finals. Ireland have shown that they are not afraid of anyone, their physicality is brutal and they are led by the brilliance and boot of Niamh Briggs. England have experience and history on their side. They are seasoned Semi Finalists however Ireland's weapon is momentum having arguably played the more complete World Cup campaign to date. 17-10 was the result of their previous meeting in the last Six Nations however this counts for nothing as this is knock out rugby and a place in the World Cup Final is at stake. 

Physically the game will be brutal, in particular at the breakdown with the might of Maggie Alphonsi, Sarah Hunter and young Alex Matthews competing against Heather O'Brien, Claire Molloy and Paula Fitzpatrick. In the backs both sides have golden boots with the aforementioned Niamh Briggs and England's Emily Scarrett so penalties will be punished. England's half backs are hugely experienced, Captain Kay McLean and La Toya Mason have been there and done it all before and remain at the very top of their games whilst Nora Stapleton and Tania Rosser have a huge amount of flair themselves. 

Collectively England must draw on every ounce of experience and make Ireland sweat from the word go, composure will be king and the side that can calmly execute their game plan whilst stifling the other side's will be the one that prevails. England versus Ireland is one of the great home nations' rivalries, matches between the two always produce rugby of the highest order and today at the Stade Jean Bouin will be no exception.  Both sides are worthy of winning this fixture and indeed the entire 2015 Women's World Cup, however we know that is not possible. All things considered it is likely to come down to one moment of brilliance or on slip in concentration. The stage is set, the stadium is sold out and in just a few hours’ time we will witness one of the greatest matches in the history of Women's Rugby. 

KO 5pm (GMT) Coverage on Sky Sports 4 from 4.45pm

England: 15 Danielle Waterman, 14 Katherine Merchant, 13 Emily Scarratt, 12, Rachael Burford, 11 Kay Wilson, 10 Katy McLean (c), 9 La Toya Mason, 8 Sarah Hunter, 7 Maggie Alphonsi, 6 Alexandra Matthews, 5 Joanna McGilchrist, 4 Tamara Taylor, 3 Sophie Hemming, 2 Victoria Fleetwood, 1 Rochelle Clark

Replacements: 16 Emma Croker, 17 Laura Keates, 18 Rebecca Essex, 19 Marlie Packer, 20 Natasha Hunt, 21 Ceri Large, 22 Claire Allan

Ireland: 15 Niamh Briggs, 14 Ashleigh Baxter, 13 Lynne Cantwell, 12 Grace Davitt, 11 Alison Miller, 10 Nora Stapleton, 9 Tania Rosser, 8 Heather O'Brien, 7 Claire Molloy, 6 Paula Fitzpatrick, 5 Marie Louise Reilly, 4 Sophie Spence, 3 Ailis Egan, 2 Gillian Bourke, 1 Fiona Coghlan

Replacements: 16 Sharon Lynch, 17 Fiona Hayes, 18 Siobhan Fleming, 19 Laura Guest, 20 Larissa Muldoon, 21 Jenny Murphy, 22 Hannah Casey

Spotlight On - Bath Rugby

When asked to describe the 'Bath Style' Head Coach Toby Booth replied with the following: "to be as positive as you can whilst being adaptable to what's going on around you. Ideally you love to play with the ball in hand all the time, but we've got to the smart about it” and smart they are. 

On many occasions last season the quality of Bath's rugby left us wide eyed with joy as their backs cut lines that many can only dream of and their forwards made the foundations of The Rec shake. However come the end of the season they fell short in both the Aviva Premiership and the Amlin Challenge Cup and that hurt them, a lot. Bitterly disappointing is the best description, a failure the harshest and educational the fairest.

Reading through their squad list it is easy to see why the management has so much belief in its existing squad and why signings have been limited. George Ford, Stuart Hooper, Francois Louw, Anthony Watson, Semesa Rokoduguni, Matt Garvey, Leroy Houston... I could continue but for all of our sakes I won't. The point is this; Bath’s squad is brimming with talent and still has a great deal of potential to realise. George Ford only arrived at the beginning of last season and is just 21 years old, Anthony Watson is just 20 and they key units in the back row and half backs by their own admission still have more to learn about each other. Everywhere you look at The Rec there is talent in abundance and the responsibility lies with Mike Ford, Neal Hatley, Toby Booth and Darren Edwards to get the very best out of them.

Bath's signings are few in number; Henry Thomas, Nick Auterac and Grant Shiells will add front row depth whilst Luke Arscott must fill the shoes of Nick Abendanon. As we all know there is one more and the final signing will be late to the party but boy will he be worth the wait; enter Sam Burgess. Burgess' transition will be scruitinised to the nth degree and arguments will occur all over the country regarding his best position. However this won’t phase Bath nor should it impact on the man himself. For what it is worth here are my opinions; Burgess is an extremely talented athlete, a consummate professional and a born winner. He will not be satisfied until he gets to the very top of the game and rugby union is extremely lucky to have him.

Overall Bath have all of the elements required to succeed in the 2014/15 season however they must be careful not to put too much pressure on themselves in their quest for glory. Their depth will be stretched with the European Champions Cup however they will, quite rightly, fancy their chances against the Glasgow Warriors, Montpellier and Toulouse. Back in the domestic competition they must use their disappointment to their advantage, let it fuel their fire and continue to develop their 'Bath Style'.