Premiership: Five big questions ahead of the 2022/23 season including how will new signings and coaches fare?

Adam Kyriacou
Premiership players pose at season launch

Planet Rugby has settled on the five big questions that we feel are on many rugby followers’ lips ahead of the upcoming Premiership season.

Can Bristol Bears’ new signings propel them up the table?

The arrivals of Ellis Genge and AJ MacGinty could prove the turning point for Bristol after what was a hugely disappointing 2021/22 season. To finish way down in 10th spot after being top the previous year was a real kick to the gut for Pat Lam’s men and there’s no doubt a drive to right some wrongs as they go into this campaign. On the day that Chelsea FC sacked Thomas Tuchel after just six matches that included two defeats, rugby clearly remains a much more patient sport.

All eyes will be looking forward and not back at Ashton Gate and Genge and MacGinty joining could well re-energise the Bears, with the England loosehead prop already making an impression on Lam. Alongside Kyle Sinckler in the front-row and in the thick of a pack that oozes quality, that should offer a platform for Harry Randall to unleash his lethal backs such as Semi Radradra once the Fijian returns from injury in October. Meanwhile, MacGinty will add welcome competition for the number 10 jersey as he battles Callum Sheedy for starts and that feels essential coming off that dismal season last time out. Watch for the Bears’ response.

How will Worcester Warriors cope with off-field problems?

The well documented issues surrounding the Premiership club would have bested many but somehow the Warriors will make it onto the field against London Irish on Saturday. Players have now been paid for August – some staff reportedly haven’t – and while the noise coming out of the club is that the players will be hugely motivated and #together, they would only be human for having doubts around the long-term solidity at their current outfit and where their future possibly lies.

Director of rugby Steve Diamond has done an incredible job guiding the squad through these choppy waters but even he admits that he is unsure what will happen after the three September games, which does not bode well with the season not even up and running. Of course one hopes for a long-term solution for a Premiership side with a wonderful following in the Worcester community, but unfortunately it’s a concerning situation that is hopefully rectified sooner rather than later.

Will George Ford and Jonny Hill turn Sale into the real deal?

While the England fly-half won’t be fit until at least December due to an Achilles injury, his return for the second half of the season will be an interesting watch after moving north from Leicester Tigers. Ford, currently not part of Eddie Jones’ international plans, will relish a good run-in to the campaign and if Sale are in the top half mix heading into the new year then the fly-half’s return to fitness will be a real shot in the arm for Alex Sanderson’s driven outfit.

Hill, meanwhile, promises to be equally effective after his arrival from Exeter Chiefs. The sizeable lock comes in following the departures of Lood de Jager and JP du Preez and is set to quickly become a fan favourite, with his abrasive nature and power up front a hallmark of his play. Some, including us, believe Hill should have been a series starter for the British & Irish Lions in South Africa and if he can churn out solid showings alongside Ford, Sale have a great chance.

Can Johann van Graan turn things around at struggling Bath?

The only way is up, as they say. For Bath and their passionate supporters, there needs to be improvements across the board this season as five victories out of 24 league games was simply not good enough. Rubbing salt into their fans’ wounds was the sight of old rivals Leicester Tigers sitting pretty atop the standings and going on to lift the Premiership title. Change was needed and it’s come in the shape of Van Graan, defence coach JP Ferreira and attack coach Joe Maddock.

How that coaching team attempt to create a sea change in results and performances will be an intriguing watch, especially following the departures of Taulupe Faletau and Anthony Watson. The signings of Chris Cloete, Dave Attwood, Quinn Roux and Niall Annett should add some steel up front, but to turn last season’s basement strugglers into a top half contender will take some doing, with Bath fans hoping fresh voices in their coaching ticket can at least start their ascent.

How will Phil Dowson fare following Chris Boyd’s departure?

The reins have been passed from the outgoing Boyd to Dowson this season and it is fair to say that the New Zealander has left the Saints in an excellent state following his stint at Franklin’s Gardens. It feels like a settled camp at Northampton and with the added benefit of several of their excellent young players having come through their system, there is a great deal of pride in the shirt and a real collective push to build a successful club in the coming years.

Dowson has solid senior players such as Courtney Lawes and Dan Biggar to lean on while the additions of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Scott-Young and James Ramm are good signings. A fourth place finish in the league last term was a step in the right direction – they ended on three more wins and 18 points higher than the previous year – before a semi-final loss to Leicester, so the building blocks are there for Dowson and Sam Vesty to take this young side to the next step in 2022/23.

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