Yorkshire Carnegie
Runners & Riders
Who will win?
By Peter Creek
July 19 2009
The new season is still 8 weeks away but already the bookies are preparing for the off. Here is a rundown of the Guinness Premiership teams and their chances, as I see it, of glory/disaster:
Leicester Still the benchmark for any club to measure itself against. Despite the loss of their goal kicking scrum half the Tigers will be front runners yet again. Following some upheaval in the coaching team they have unearthed a real nugget in Richard Cockerill who will be their head coach for the next five years (hopefully)
9/4
London Irish Looked to have punched above their weight last season but it was the culmination of several seasons of continuous improvement. Despite the loss of Geraghty the Exiles are essentially a team without superstars. Expect them to finish in the top four yet again.
13/2
Bath The return of the prodigal should have ensured that Bath stay in the top four. However the penchant of four of their players for lines of white powder has thrown the club into chaos. Recruiting strongly but it will depend on how the new players gel with the squad. Fancied by the bookies but I think they will finish mid table.
13/2
Harlequins The link-up of Danny Care and Rory Clegg could be a future England pairing. I expect Quins to start up where they left off last season ( but not by chinning Bath in the Church) and end up in the play-offs.
8/1
Gloucester The Cherry & Whites had a poor season by their own very high standards. Several key players have moved on and there is disharmony in the club. A mid table finish for Glaws.
11/2
Sale The Cheshire club have lost a whole barrowload of players. The loss of McCalister, Chabal & Lobbe will be felt most keenly. I see them finishing no higher than mid-table.
12/1
Northampton Saints had a season of consolidation last time out with the bonus of a cup win in Europe. They have recruited wisely and with Jim Mallinder at the helm they are my tip for continuous improvement and contention for a play-off spot.
12/1
Saracens Sarries released a dozen or more players including some really good ones. They then recruited a bunch of Saffers who may or may not do the business for them next time around. A recipe for disaster in my opinion and a bottom four place beckons.
16/1
Newcastle The Falcons seem to have provided fly halves for half the clubs in the northern hemisphere and much will depend on Jimmy Gopperth, their latest incumbent and the service he gets. With Hayman as skipper next season Newcastle will not be a pushover but I cannot see them finishing higher than 10th.
50/1Wasps The once mighty Wasps ended last season without silverware. They have suffered an exodus of players and have changed their director of rugby. Hard times ahead possibly? Wasps could be in the mix for the drop come April next year. More likely top half outside the play-off places.
13/2
Worcester Wuss have been strangely quiet in the marketplace so far this summer. They clearly have confidence in the squad which kept them up last season. The bookies have confidence in them but what do they know? No higher than 10th in my opinion & preferably a couple of places lower!
80/1
Leeds Recruitment has been of quality southern hemisphere players plus a young Welsh fly half. There are still a couple of pieces missing from the jigsaw but the season could be all over after 2 games if the ‘Neegs lose to Newcastle and at Wuss the following weekend. Much will depend on the players embracing NB’s “winning mentality”. 11th!
100/1
Odds courtesy of Oddschecker.com
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19/07/2009 13:22
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Pain is only temporary but victory is forever
