As August comes to a close, so does English rugby's brief offseason.
The Aviva Premiership calendar begins on Friday, and the fun won't stop until a champion is crowned next May.
To get ready for the new campaign, Andy Goode has run down his 12 players, one from each team, to watch this season in this weeks The Rugby Paper.
Read his full article in The Rugby Paper!
Bath - Sam Underhill
"Is he the guy to finally put the England openside debated to bed? James Haskell has done a brilliant job but Underhill is a specialist with age on his side.
"Ball in hand he is strong and has good forward and can also link up the play as well. He can also do the dog work and win turnovers.
"Will be fascinating to watch him develop under the England coaches."
Exeter Chiefs - Henry Slade
"I am a bit of a closet Slade fan to be fair-- ever since I played against him during my first year at Wass and he schooled me.
"His ball skills are top drawer and some of the touches he has are out of this world.
"Every time he gets the ball he tries to make something happen."
Gloucester - Jason Woodward
"An exciting player in what is an average squad in my book.
"Played exceptionally well last year in a heavily beaten Bristol team.
"Always seems to find the space in front of him and has the pace to exploit it."
Harlequins - Francis Saili
"I watched him a few times in the Pro12 and his footwork is unbelievable.
"He is quick and powerful with the ability to make something happen every time he touches the ball."
Leicester - Manu Tuilagi
"Almost feels like a new signing due to the lack of game time over the last few years.
"Everyone wants to see Manu fit - other than maybe opposition defences - and dominating games with his physicality in attack and defence.
"His carried or fends or bone-crunching tackles are the things you remember from games and has been sorely missed."
London Irish - Joe Cokanasiga
"I'm going to go with one of England's hot-shots.
"The man they call "Big Joe" scored an absolute belter of a try against London Scottish in the Championship last year and I can't wait to see him in the Premiership.
"Could give Irish the x-factor they need to survive."
Newcastle Falcons - Sinoti Sinoti
"A fit-again Sinoti Sinoti will add to the Falcons considerable weaponry.
"He has had a rough ride with injuries but, from what I hear he's had a great pre-season in terms of shaking off all those niggles.
"When fresh, he beats defenders with pace and footwork; when tired he uses his strength to bounce them off."
Northampton Piers Francis
"A jaw injury in pre-seaosn may delay his Premiership debut but it should be worth the wait.
"I was really impressed with his all-around game for England in Argentina.
"It will be interesting to see whether Saints want him to spark their back-line at 10 or at 12 where he played for England.
"Seems to have everything in his locker."
Sale Sharks - Faf de Klerk
"Blonde hair makes him look even more explosive when he makes those little breaks around the edges.
"The hard thing for him will be getting used to playing on softer pitches. He'll soon find the AJ Bell in winter is a little different to Johannesburg.
"Sale fans have been well-blessed ar No.9 with Peter Stringer and Mike Phillips and Faf will offer something different again.
Saracens - Liam Williams
"The man with the mesmerizing bow legs.
"I can't wait to see him in the Premiership week-in week-out.
"Written off before the Lions tour but he had a blinder against the Chiefs and went on to prove he is world-class."
Wasps - Christian Wade
"Ball in hand and going forward, he is something else.
"Christian is just electric in terms of pace and his ability to finish in tight spaces is probably unrivaled."
Worcester - Francois Hougaard
"Worcester's only world-class player.
"Fast and strong - the physical attributes I'd of loved to have had!
"Makes scintillating breaks from nine but can be physical as well - a really feisty competitior.
