- Premiership season kicks off next Friday night
- Reigning champions Saracens make only four additions over the summer
- Newly promoted Worcester add 18 players to their senior squad as they attempt to avoid the drop
With the Premiership kicking off in just over a week, we here at RUCK thought it timely to get updated with all the ingoings and outgoings by the 12 clubs during the summer.
Saracens were the least busy with just four new faces while newly-promoted Worcester have recruited an incredible 18 new players to their senior squad as they attempt bravely to beat the drop.
Tell us below who you think has done the best business!
Bath
Players in
Nikola Matawalu from
Glasgow Warriors
Rhys Priestland from
Scarlets
Tom Dunn promoted from Academy
Charlie Ewels promoted from Academy
Tom Homer from
London Irish
Jonathan Evans from
Newport Gwent Dragons
Jeff Williams from
England Sevens
Players out
Paul James to
Ospreys
Gavin Henson to
Bristol Rugby
Olly Woodburn to
Exeter Chiefs
Micky Young to
Newcastle Falcons
Dave Sisi to
London Irish (season-loan)
Will Skuse to
London Welsh
Richard Lane to
Jersey
Peter Stringer to
Sale Sharks
Carl Fearns to
Lyon
Ben Williams retired
Transfer Review
Bath have added exciting Fiji scrum-half Nikola Matawalu to their squad and they will be thrilled with his performances during the Rugby World Cup as he has demonstrated on the grandest stage his precise passing and dynamic running. Wales’ fly-half Rhys Priestland may also prove to be an excellent addition with the number 10 giving George Ford real competition for the number 10 shirt.
Rating: Progressive 7/10
Exeter Chiefs
Players in
Geoff Parling from
Leicester Tigers
Olly Woodburn from
Bath Rugby
Michele Campagnaro from
Benetton Treviso
Ollie Atkins from
Edinburgh Rugby
Shaun Malton from
Nottingham
Will Hooley from
Northampton Saints
Harry Williams from
Jersey
Julian Salvi from
Leicester Tigers
Josh Jones from
St Helens
Jonny Hill from
Gloucester Rugby
James Short from
London Irish
Players out
Tom James to
Cardiff Blues
Greg Bateman to
Leicester Tigers
Dean Mumm to
NSW Waratahs
Kieran Davies to
Nottingham
Fetu’u Vainikolo to
Oyonnax
Joel Conlon to
Saracens
Ceri Sweeney to
Pontypridd RFC
James Scaysbrook retired
Will Carrick-Smith to
London Scottish
Transfer Review
The additions of England and Lions lock Geoff Parling as well as Italy’s star centre Michele Campagnaro will significantly strengthen Exeter’s squad ahead of the upcoming Premiership season as they look to build upon their fifth-place finish last term. The signing of 22-year-old Josh Jones from St Helens will also be an interesting move as the back-row becomes the latest cross-code star.
Rating: Well thought out 8/10
Gloucester
Players in
Tom Marshall from
Chiefs
Henry Purdy promoted from Academy
Jeremy Thrush from
Hurricanes
Bill Meakes promoted from Academy
Paul Doran-Jones from
Harlequins
Paddy McAllister from
Aurillac
Nicky Thomas from
Ospreys
Willi Heinz from
Crusaders
Tom Lindsay from
Wasps
Tom Hicks promoted from Academy
Matt Protheroe from
Hartpury College R.F.C.
Callum Braley promoted from Academy
Steph Reynolds promoted from Academy
Players out
Dan Robson to
Wasps
Aled Thomas to
Scarlets
Aleki Lutui to
Ampthill
Tom Palmer to
Benetton Treviso
Rory Bartle to
London Scottish
Jonny Hill to
Exeter Chiefs
Shaun Knight to
Newport Gwent Dragons
Shane Monahan to
Munster
Sila Puafisi to
Glasgow Warriors
Transfer Review
Gloucester has failed to attract any big name signings but will have been pleased to have held onto many of their major stars such as Jonny May and Greig Laidlaw following a disappointing ninth-place finish last term. The addition of 6ft 6in lock Jeremy Thrush, who has won 11 caps for the All Blacks is probably their best and most exciting signing.
Rating: Underwhelming 4/10
Harlequins
Players in
James Horwill from
Queensland Reds
Matt Shields from
Darlington Mowden Park
Adam Jones from
Cardiff Blues
Tim Visser from
Edinburgh Rugby
Owen Evans from
Newport Gwent Dragons
Tim Swiel from
Sharks
Winston Stanley from
Highlanders
Jamie Roberts from
Racing 92
Mat Luamanu from
Benetton Treviso
Players out
Paul Doran-Jones to
Gloucester Rugby
Joe Trayfoot to
London Irish
George Robson to
Oyonnax
Ugo Monye retired
Asaeli Tikoirotuma to
London Irish
Darryl Marfo to
London Welsh
Tom Williams retired
Tom Casson to
Yorkshire Carnegie
Jordan Burns to
Bedford Blues
Jordan Turner-Hall retired
Transfer Review
Quins significant moves saw them recruit mature heads in Jame Roberts and Tim Visser. Roberts, who is a Wales and British Lions international will add steel to their midfield while Scotlands’s speedster Visser, who scored 345 points in 130 games for Edinburgh, will guarantee them tries. This will be crucial after Quins were only able to touch down 45 last season with the bottom of the pile London Welsh being the only club to cross the whitewash less. The two are without a doubt fantastic additions and should help them end up higher than their eighth-place finish last season.
Rating: Fantastic 9/10
Leicester Tigers
Players in
Opeti Fonua from
London Welsh
Mike Williams from
Worcester Warriors
Brendon O’Connor from
Blues
Peter Betham from
NSW Waratahs
Michael Fitzgerald from
Chiefs
Lachlan McCaffrey from
London Welsh
Jono Kitto from
Chiefs
Greg Bateman from
Exeter Chiefs
Dominic Barrow from
Newcastle Falcons
George Catchpole promoted from Academy
Aniseko Sio promoted from Academy
Players out
Jamie Gibson to
Northampton Saints
Geoff Parling to
Exeter Chiefs
Neil Briggs to
Sale Sharks
Pablo Matera to
Pampas XV
Louis Deacon retired
Blaine Scully to
Cardiff Blues
Tom Price to
Scarlets
Brad Thorn retired
Javiah Pohe to
US Carcassonne
Scott Hamilton to
Coventry RFC
Robert Barbieri to
Benetton Treviso
Greg Peterson to
Glasgow Warriors
Julian Salvi to
Exeter Chiefs
Tom Bristow to
Wasps
Jack Whetton to
US Nevers
David Mele to
Toulouse
Rhys Williams to
Moseley
Anthony Allen retired
Terrence Hepetema to
Bay of Plenty
Transfer Review
Leicester haven’t followed up their third place finish last season with many significant additions but have lost 19 senior players, which includes England international Geoff Parling, over the summer with only 11 new faces joining their senior squad. Tigers fans should though be excited by the signing of pacey winger Peter Betham, who scored 11 tries in 33 games for the Waratahs during his time with the Super Rugby side.
Rating: Up and down 6/10
London Irish
Players in
Ben Franks from
Hurricanes
Sean Maitland from
Glasgow Warrior
Brendan McKibbin from
NSW Waratahs
Joe Trayfoot from
Harlequins
Dominic Waldouck from
Northampton Saints
Dave Sisi from
Bath Rugby (season-loan)
Matt Symons from
Chiefs
Tom Cruse from
Rotherham Titans
Eoin Sheriff from
Saracens
Asaeli Tikoirotuma from
Harlequins
Gerard Ellis promoted from Acad
Richard Palframan promoted from Academy
Tom Fowlie promoted from Academy
Tom Smallbone promoted from Academy
Rob McCusker from
Scarlets
Players out
Tomas O’Leary to
Munster
Tom Homer to
Bath Rugby
Kieran Low to
Glasgow Warriors
Eamonn Sheridan to
Oyonnax
Sean Cox retired
Myles Dorrian to
Bedford Blues
Guy Armitage to
London Welsh
Harry Allen to
London Welsh
Daniel Leo to
London Welsh
Jamie Hagan to
Melbourne Rebels
James Short to
Exeter Chiefs
Michael Mayhew to
Waikato
Matt Parr released
Transfer Review
The Exiles were spectacularly unspectacular last season, scoring just 45 tries, so will be hoping Scotland and British Lions international Sean Maitland can hit the ground running after the wing joined this summer from Glasgow Warriors. The addition of scrum-half Brendan McKibbin from the Waratahs will also be key to them hopefully increasing the number of tries they score this season with his ability to recycle the ball quickly at the breakdown.
Rating: Radical 7/10
Newcastle Falcons
Players in
Chris Harris promoted from Academy
Micky Young from
Bath Rugby
Mike Delany from
Clermont Auvergne
Marcus Watson from
England Sevens
Sonatane Takulua from
Northland
Simon Hammersley promoted from Academy
Ben Harris from
Yorkshire Carnegie
Taione Vea from
London Welsh
Jon Welsh from
Glasgow Warriors
Nili Latu from
NEC Green Rockets
Giovanbattista Venditti from
Zebre
Paddy Ryan from
Libournes
Mouritz Botha from
Sharks
Sean Robinson promoted from Academy
Todd Clever from
Old Mission Beach Athletic Club
Players out
Kieran Brookes to
Northampton Saints
Mike Blair to
Glasgow Warriors
Andy Saull to
Yorkshire Carnegie
Ben Morris to
Nottingham
Phil Godman retired
Chris York to
Ealing Trailfinders
Danny Barnes to
Ealing Trailfinders
Dominic Barrow to
Leicester Tigers
Andy Davies to
Rotherham Titans
Mark Irving to
Viadana
Rory Clegg to
Glasgow Warriors
Lee Smith to
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Oliver Tomaszczyk to
Ospreys
Noah Cato released
Jamie Helleur released
Warren Fury released
Sean Brown released
James Christie released
Uili Kolo’ofai released
Transfer Review
Dean Richards would have been disappointed to lose England international prop Kieran Brookes but swiftly replaced him with the experienced Scotland international Jon Welsh. The signings of Samoa Captain Nili Latu and England Sevens star Marcus Watson also brings a new dimension to the Falcons squad. Newcastle fans will have also been thrilled to see young stars Chris Harris and Simon Hammersley commit their futures to the club.
Rating: Progressive 7/10
Northampton Saints
Players in
JJ Hanrahan from
Munster
Kieran Brookes from
Newcastle Falcons
Jamie Gibson from
Leicester Tigers
Michael Paterson from
Sale Sharks
Tom Kessell from
Cornish Pirates
Pat Howard from
Stormers
Paul Hill from
Yorkshire Carnegie
Sion Bennett from
Scarlets
Victor Matfield from
Bulls
Players out
Salesi Ma’afu to
Toulon
Samu Manoa to
Toulon
Phil Dowson to
Worcester Warriors
Dominic Waldouck to
London Irish
Will Hooley to
Exeter Chiefs
Alex Day to
Cornish Pirates
Joel Hodgson to
Yorkshire Carnegie
Tom Ryder to
Yorkshire Carnegie
Cam Dolan to
Cardiff Blues
Tom Mercey released
Josh Skelcey released
Transfer Review
Saints will have been disappointed to lose Salesi Ma’afu and Samu Manoa to big-spenders Toulon but will be reasonably pleased with their recruitment over the summer. The addition of talismanic Springbok lock Victor Matfield as well as England prop Kieran Brookes will add an extra gear to their already dominant pack. The signing of fly-half JJ Hanrahan amongst others also means the Northampton squad looks stronger than ever with competition for places being hellish across all positions.
Rating: Purposeful 8/10
Sale Sharks
Players in
Neil Briggs from
Leicester Tigers
Peter Stringer from
Bath Rugby
Bryn Evans from
Biarritz Olympique
James Mitchell promoted from Academy
George Nott promoted from Academy
Ciaran Parker promoted from Academy
Brian Mujati from
Racing 92
Nev Edwards from
Rosslyn Park
Players out
Marc Jones to
Bristol Rugby
Mark Cueto retired
Michael Paterson to
Northampton Saints
Will Cliff to
Bristol Rugby
Nathan Fowles to
Edinburgh Rugby
Nathan Hines retired
Andy Forsyth to
Yorkshire Carnegie
Alberto De Marchi to
Benetton Treviso
Luke McLean to
Benetton Treviso
Darren Fearn to
Darlington Mowden Park
Transfer Review
Sale Sharks will look to build upon their successful season last term by on the main sticking with the group that served them so well over the last year. They have though added some much-needed steel to the front row with the addition of veteran prop Brian Mujati from Racing 92.
Rating: Reserved 5/10
Saracens
Players in
Samuela Vunisa from
Zebre
Michael Rhodes from
Stormers
Maro Itoje promoted from Academy
Joel Conlon from
Exeter Chiefs
Players out
Eoin Sheriff to
London Irish
David Strettle to
Clermont Auvergne
James Johnston to
Wasps
Thretton Palamo to
London Welsh (season-loan)
Nick de Jager to
Blue Bulls
Transfer Review
After winning the 2015 Premiership final Saracens have been muted with very few incomings and outgoings. Fans will be excited to see Maro Itoje, who has stepped up to the senior squad, again after the young lock starred in the back end of last season. The signing of Italian number 8 Samuela Vunisa is also an ingenious addition due to the combination of his speed, ball-carrying ability, physical strength and ability at the breakdown.
Rating: Muted 5/10
Wasps
Players in
Jimmy Gopperth from
Leinster
Dan Robson from
Gloucester Rugby
Frank Halai from
Blues
Brendan Macken from
Leinster
Tom Bristow from
Leicester Tigers
Jamie Stevenson from
London Scottish
James Downey from
Glasgow Warriors
George Smith from
Lyon
James Johnston from
Saracens
Alex Rieder from
Rotherham Titans
Alex Lundberg promoted from Academy
Tom Howe promoted from Academy
Charles Piutau from
Blues
Players out
Tom Varndell to
Bristol Rugby
William Helu to
Edinburgh Rugby
Ed Jackson to
Newport Gwent Dragons
Charlie Davies to
Newport Gwent Dragons
Tom Lindsay to
Gloucester Rugby
Will Taylor to
Scarlets
Jack Moates to
Jersey
Oli Evans to
Jersey
Tom Bliss to
Ealing Trailfinders (season-loan)
Sam James to
Bedford Blues
Martyn Thomas to
London Welsh
Gus Jones to
London Welsh
Glyn Hughes to
Moseley
Buster Lawrence to
Moseley
John Yapp retired
Chris Bell retired
Andy Goode retired
Transfer Review
It’s been a very busy summer for Wasps, with the main addition being of experienced fly-half Jimmy Gopperth, who joins from Leinster to battle with Alex Lozowski and Scotland international Ruaridh Jackson for the number 10 shirt following fan favourite Andy Goode’s retirement. Supporters would have been also been disappointed with the departure of 29-year-old wing Tom Vandell, who made 125 appearances for the Premiership outfit, scoring 350 points. They will be hoping a fit again Christian Wade can fill that void and then some.
Rating: Transition period 6/10
Worcester
Players in
Andy Short from
Bristol Rugby
Derrick Appiah from
Mogliano
Phil Dowson from
Northampton Saints
Carl Kirwan from
London Welsh
Tom Heathcote from
Edinburgh Rugby
Luke Baldwin from
Bristol Rugby
Sam Lewis from
Ospreys
Cooper Vuna from
Toshiba Brave Lupus
Na’ama Leleimalefaga from
Montpellier
Darren Barry from
Cornish Pirates
Bryce Heem from
Chiefs
Mike Daniels promoted from Academy
Tiff Eden promoted from Academy
Christian Scotland-Williamson promoted from Academy
Marco Mama from
Bristol Rugby (season-loan)
Donncha O’Callaghan from
Munster
Tevita Cavubati from
Ospreys
Wynand Olivier from
Montpellier
Players out
Andries Pretorius retired
Mike Williams to
Leicester Tigers
Alex Gordas to
CSM București
Sam Windsor to
Ulster
Agustin Creevy to
Argentina (Super Rugby)
Leonardo Senatore released
Jack Cosgrove to
Edinburgh Rugby
Josh Drauniniu to
London Welsh
George Porter to
Ealing Trailfinders
Rob O’Donnell to
Yorkshire Carnegie
Richard de Carpentier to
England Sevens
Josh Watkins to
England Sevens
James Percival to
Grenoble
Shay Kerry to
Oyonnax
Ofa Fainga’anuku to
Bayonne
James Stephenson to
Ealing Trailfinders
Ignacio Mieres to
US Dax
Jonathan Thomas retired
Transfer Review
It’s been a busy summer for Dean Ryan at Worcester as he tries to get his newly promoted team ready for the start of the Premiership season. They know the key to competing in the top flight is a solid scrum, therefore they have recruited props Na’ama Leleimalefaga and Derrick Appiah to widen their front row options. The signing of experienced Premiership player Phil Dowson, as well as the addition of former Springbok centre Wynand Olivier, may also be key to their possible survival.
Rating: Resourceful 7.5/10