Dean Richards Premiership preview: Bath have got to be ‘favourites’ but ‘million-pound’ Finn Russell’s availability crucial
Dean Richards previews the 2024/25 Premiership season picking his favourites and dark horses.
Dean Richards knows what it takes to win a Premiership title and the legendary former England captain believes it could finally be Bath’s year – with Leicester Tigers his dark horse.
Remarkably, big-spending Bath have not been crowned champions since 1996, having lost last season’s Premiership final to Northampton at Twickenham.
But a new campaign has brought new hope for the West Country giants, according to an English rugby great who enjoyed a glittering playing and coaching career.
Bath have got to be favourites
Richards, who won 48 caps for England, began coaching at Leicester, winning four Premiership titles and two Investec Champions Cups at the club where he spent 15 years as a player.
“Bath have recruited well and have got to be favourites to win the Premiership,” the 61-year-old told Planet Rugby in an exclusive interview.
“How well they fare will depend on Finn Russell’s availability but, having said that, I think they’re starting to create the pack they need to.
“Their back-row is probably a weakness but if their front-five works well, then it’s almost irrelevant and the pack doesn’t have to be as complete as it ordinarily would be.
“Guys like Alfie Barbeary can focus on the ball carrying, which is what they’re good at, rather than having to do everything.
“Bath have spent a lot of money and in many ways it should be their time.
“I think Finn is probably the only million-pound Premiership player and the biggest thing is being able to provide him with the firepower to win games.
“But they’ve done that and recruited well, so they’re a good side.”
Chieka doesn’t give a toss
Richards is synonymous with Leicester, given his success there as a player and coach and he believes Michael Cheika will bring the good times back to Welford Road.
“One of the things l like about Michael is that he doesn’t give a toss about reputations whatsoever,” said Richards.
“He knows exactly what he wants and will pick a side and organise it in a style that suits him in a way that will give him the best chance of winning the Premiership.
“He’s very pragmatic and Leicester are my outside tip for the title.”
Northampton’s chances of going back-to-back?
Can Northampton replicate their title success of last season?
“The measure of a great side is reproducing that every year and I think this will be a real test for Saints,” said ex-Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Richards.
“They’ve got a really good team and there are some unsung heroes like Trevor Davison who probably doesn’t get the plaudits he deserves.
“They have some weaknesses too, but not many at all.”
Saracens fell at the semi-final hurdle last term and are now beginning a new era following the departure of Owen Farrell and the Vunipola brothers Mako and Billy, amongst others.
“With those guys leaving, it could be a period of transition at Sarries,” said Richards.
Sale have gone close in the past two seasons and on Sunday they host Harlequins, who were in the second tier when Richards took them over in 2005 before leading them straight back to the Premiership.
“I don’t know whether Sale have that bit of stardust that you need in certain areas,” said Richards.
“They have some fantastic homegrown talent, which counts for a lot, but I don’t think they’ve got enough firepower to win the Premiership.
“When you look at the quality of players that Quins have, they should be there or thereabouts.
“It’s just whether they can keep it together for 18 games of the season plus the play-offs.
“They will be close but guys like DC (Danny Care) and Joe Marler are a year older now.”
Steve Diamond will galvanise Newcastle
Newcastle, where Richards spent a decade in charge before leaving in May 2022, finished bottom last term after losing every match.
But Steve Diamond has spoken bullishly about the Falcons being far more competitive this season and Richards would love to see his old club rise again.
He said: “I understand exactly what they’re trying to achieve in terms of being self-sufficient and wiping their nose clean at the end of every month and every season.
“Ultimately, that has an impact of who you can bring in and the quality of players you produce.
“Dare I say it, I was in that position at Newcastle for 10 years and understand the impact upon you.
“But I’m pretty sure that Steve will galvanise the team and get as much as he can out of them.
“They have a chance of beating Bristol Bears at Kingston Park in their opening game on Friday night.”
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Casting his eye on Bristol, Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester, Richards said: “Bristol have underperformed virtually since they have been in the Premiership when you look at the amount of money they’ve spent.
“There is now going to be a fair bit of pressure on them to deliver the goods.
“I actually thought Dave Walder had got into groove there in the second half of last season, so why he’s gone I don’t know.
“That seemed strange because the fluidity and continuity from last year has gone.
“Once you lose that, you’re almost starting from afresh with different attacking styles.”
Richards feels Gloucester will be pragmatic due to their playing budget but said: “If they have a full-strength squad to pick from, they will compete with most sides.”
On Rob Baxter’s Exeter, Richards reflected: “Their spending power over the last couple of years has diminished quite a bit.
“I think Rob’s biggest achievement was when Exeter got promoted to the Premiership and stayed up the following year.
“Since then, they managed to spend a lot more money but they need to get back on track this season and I think they will – they’ve got the squad to do it.”
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Managing expectations
Richards remains based in the North-East, having taken Newcastle back to the Premiership at the first attempt in 2012/13.
The Falcons famously reached the play-offs in 2017-18 after finishing fourth but they were relegated the following year before Richards brought them back up at the first attempt again.
He was always working with the smallest budget in the Premiership but his success on Tyneside was chiselled on good old-fashioned team spirit and a collective desire.
“People have to understand what success means and it’s not always about winning trophies,” said Richards.
“It could be finishing in the top six, the top four or just avoiding relegation.
“It’s all relative to your spending power and the culture at the club but there are at least six sides vying for the top four.
“There will probably be at least two of them who don’t even make the top six because either the coaching or the culture isn’t right, there has been an injury crisis or they haven’t had the rub of the green.
“Then you’ve got other teams who make the most of the armoury they’ve got and they over-achieve, which we did quite often at Newcastle.”
Richards is enjoying his regular public speaking engagements and coaching at local amateur outfit Tynedale, but he does not see himself working as a director of rugby again.
“I’ve had offers to get back into the professional game, but not in the way that I want,” he revealed.
“I wouldn’t want to be a director of rugby in the Premiership again; I’ve had my time doing that.
“The constraints on your time are absolutely massive but I do see myself as someone who could offer a team or person some support if required.
“That could be a mentoring role or overseeing a particular department within a club.
“There are some really interesting games this weekend to start the season, so I’m really looking forward to them.”
READ MORE: 2024/25 Premiership: Club-by-club guide to the new season including title odds and transfers
