Exeter and Saracens will battle it out for the title, all is not well at Leicester, and Newcastle are now genuine top four contenders.
Those are some of the sweeping conclusions already being drawn just a few games into the new season.
So, who has progressed and who has regressed in the early weeks of the 2017-18 campaign?
Infomation provided by RugbyInsideLine. Teams clashes with London Irish have been compared to their results against Bristol from last season.
11. Leicester Tigers - 8 points down from last season
Position - 8th (was 2nd)
Results - 4W now 2W and 2L
Points For - 42 less
Points Ag - 17 more
10. Wasps - 7 points down from last season
Position - 5th (was 3rd)
Results - A draw and win now losses
Points For - 30 less
Points Ag - 11 more
9. Bath - 3 points down from last season
Position - 7th (was 5th)
Results - A win now a loss
Points For - 8 less
Points Ag - Conceded 37 more
8. Exeter Chiefs - 2 points down from last season
Position - 1st (same)
Results - Draw now a loss
Points For - Scored 25 less
Points Ag - Conceded 58 less
6=. Harlequins - 1 point down from last season
Position - 6th (same)
Results - Same (2W, 2L)
Points For - 3 more
Points Ag - 2 more
6=. Worcester - 1 point down from last season
Position - 12th (same)
Results - Same (4L)
Points For - 30 less
Points Ag - 21 less
5. Saracens - The exact same points
Position - 2nd (was 4th)
Results - Same
Points For - 44 more
Points Ag - Conceded 4 more
4. Sale Sharks - 2 points up from last season
Position - 10th (was 11th)
Results - Same (1W 3L)
Points For - 5 more
Points Ag - Same (111)
3. Gloucester - 3 points up from last season
Position - 9th (was 8th)
Results - 1W 3L now 2W 2L
Points For - 29 less
Points Ag - 23 less
2. Northampton Saints - 7 points up from last season
Position - 3rd (was 7th)
Results - 2 more wins
Points For - 23 more
Points Ag - Conceded 6 more
1. Newcastle Falcons - 8 points up from last season
Position - 4th (was 10th)
Results - 2 more wins
Points For - 16 more
Points Ag - 52 less
FULL STATS
2016/17 corresponding fixtures...
2017/18 table
