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With the first fixtures for the new Gallagher Premiership Rugby season already underway, speculation is rife regarding who will be the main runners and riders in the 2024/25 season.
So, what can we expect this year?
Who will be the favourites to claim the title, what surprise packages might emerge from the chasing pack and which players are likely to be the stars of the show this time around?
Northampton still the team to beat
Unsurprisingly, as the previous year’s champions, Northampton Saints enter the season as the bookies’ favourites.
With George Furbank promoted to captain after Lewis Ludlam’s departure to Toulouse, we may be able to look forward to a more exuberant and youthful approach as they seek to retain their title under director of rugby Phil Dowson.
Both runners-up Bath and Sale Sharks are also expected to put up a real challenge and will likely push the 2023/24 winners all the way.
Bath are looking particularly strong under Johann van Graan, and opened their campaign by avenging their loss to the Saints in last season’s final.
Sale will be boosted by the exciting addition of Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu.
If you fancy backing one of these two but you don’t want to use your own money to bet on them, you can read more information to choose your free bets on the OddsChecker website.
The chasing pack
When it comes to the surprise packages, there are whispers that Saracens could step up this year as they look to win the trophy they last claimed in 2022/23, though the departure of Owen Farrell and the Vunipola brothers indicates that it could be a season of transition.
Due to these departures, it may be a struggle for them to make the play-offs. Leicester Tigers will also be hoping to push towards the top after finishing fourth last year, with former Australia and Argentina coach Michael Cheika looking to establish a long and successful reign.
In terms of the other end of the table, Newcastle Falcons are unfortunately likely to struggle again under Steve Diamond after a winless season last time around.
Gloucester and Exeter might also find themselves at the wrong end of the table, given their relative lack of spending, though at Exeter, Rob Baxter will be hoping to capitalise on the sparkling form of Henry Slade.
Pushing for individual honours
In terms of individual performers, Henry Slade of Exeter will be hoping to repeat the trick of claiming top points scorer for the second year in a row.
He will have stiff competition from the three-time winner George Ford, now at Sale Sharks, and the 2022/23 winner Paddy Jackson of London Irish.
As for potential top try scorers, Ollie Sleightholme will be looking to top the pile once again after landing 14 tries in 2023/24.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tom Roebuck will once again be looking to challenge him this season after also finishing on the podium last time.
The 21-year-old Feyi-Waboso may be best placed to win the award for the first time, providing his international duties don’t get in the way.
Finally, in terms of young players who might make the breakthrough this year, Henry Pollock at Northampton, flanker Guy Pepper at Bath and Sale’s Asher Opoku-Fordjour have already demonstrated huge potential and could be poised to have an exciting season.
Whatever happens this season, we can be sure about one thing in particular: it’s going to be a thrilling ride!