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2022/23 Premier 15s predictions: Who will be the ruler of England?
The 2022-23 Allianz Premier 15s season is upon us and before a ball is even kicked what we already know is it’s going to be an interesting one! With a number of teams losing funding through the demise of their male partner clubs and others steaming ahead building international calibre squads, the distance between top and bottom could be even more stark than seasons past.
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Following on from the World Cup and the impressive viewing numbers the tournament garnered and a large number of countries with players involved in the English league, it now seems this is the time for the Premier 15s to take a step forward. With a rock-solid product on the pitch, steadily growing attendances for many clubs, a new CEO and chair, as well as a host of international stars plying their trade week-in week-out, all that remains is to grow the audience for live streams and TV broadcasts.
So who will come out on top and who will struggle over the season ahead? Let RugbyPass give you the rundown as we work our way up from last year’s bottom placed team to the eventual champs, sharing some key signings and giving our best estimate of where they will finish out the regular season.
DMP Sharks
Last season finish: 10th
This year prediction: 10th
Key player: Mackenzie Thomas-Roberts
With no new signings announced, but some key names leaving it looks likely that DMP will struggle once again. Finishing bottom again could well condemn them to losing their place in the league once the next round of bidding for teams is concluded, but as always they will play with pride and even though some teams will rack up impressive point totals against them, they’ll find Darlington a tough place to visit as the Sharks once again play every game with their hearts on their sleeves.
Sale Sharks Women
Last season finish: 9th
This year prediction: 8th
Key player: Lizzie Duffy
Sale Sharks have shown their teeth in the off-season, snapping up the likes of USA Eagles Alycia Washington and Carly Waters to add some veteran nous to a team full of young talent, including fly-half Lizzie Duffy who continues to grow and impress under the watchful eye of Katy Daley-Mclean. The first two seasons in the league have been tough going for Sale and while we still see them finishing in the bottom three expect them to make some real progress on the pitch before the season is out.
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Worcester University Warriors Women
Last season finish: 8th
This year prediction: 7th
Key player: Jo Brown
For a long time, it has felt as if something is building in Worcester and, with concerns over their ability to play this season having been resolved, we’re expecting to see the Warriors finally take a step forward and lift themselves out of the bottom three. With veteran leadership from Lyndsay O’Donnell and Jo Brown, aligned with some electric backs, and exciting young talents like Akina Gondwe whose best playing days are still to come, Warriors seem to be in a good place. They’ve recruited shrewdly too, with Welsh wing Lowri Norkett and Scottish back row Evie Gallagher among Head Coach Jo Yapp’s new signings.
Loughborough Lightning
Last season finish: 7th
This year prediction: 6th
Key player: Sadia Kabeya
Last year was a tough one for Loughborough Lightning as the former playoff contenders slipped down the table. This year expect a little bit of a resurgence, especially once their internationals return. The world woke up to how good Sadia Kabeya is, although not news for Premier 15s fans. That said, expect her to take a step forward as she becomes a key player for Loughborough. She’ll be joined by two former Sale players as Molly Kelly and Daisy Hibbert-Jones have travelled south to join the team, the latter in particular is an excellent addition who can slot in anywhere across the second or back rows and not look out of place.
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Gloucester-Hartpury Women
Last season finish: 6th
This year prediction: 2nd
Key player: Emma Sing
Now things are getting interesting! Not content with already having the likes of 2021 World Player of the Year Zoe Aldcroft and England’s Natasha Hunt to call upon, Gloucester-Hartpury Head Coach Sean Lynn has been on a shopping spree ahead of the new season. Red Roses Maud Muir and Alex Matthews head to the west country outfit and they’ll be joined by former Wasps Sam Monaghan, Wales captain Siwan Lillicrap and another England international in Sarah Beckett. With so much quality coming in, including a few players who didn’t go to the World Cup so will be available from week one of the season, and a host of exciting home-grown talent such as Emma Sing, expect the cherry and whites to fly up the table this season!
Wasps Women
Last season finish: 5th
This year prediction: 9th
Key player: Ciara Cooney
It’s been a tough summer for Wasps Women. An exodus of key players including Claudia MacDonald, Cliodhna Maloney, Ellie Boatman, Claire Molloy, Bryony Cleall and Edel McMahon (to name just a few) have left them looking like a skeleton of their former selves and even as we are writing this, new signing Lenaig Corson has been announced as joining Harlequins Women while club stalwart Flo Williams has signed for Saracens along with Mica Evans. They still have some top end talent at the time of writing, with Abby Dow confirming she remains a Wasp and former Red Rose Rowena Burnfield shoring up their pack, but Ciara Cooney will be their key player, her leadership on the field and international experience will be vital to keep the team together in tough moments.
Harlequins Women
Last season finish: 4th
This year prediction: 3rd
Key player: Emily Scott
Quins have been among the Premier 15s top teams since the league’s inception, and we don’t see that changing. They’ve lost two big names in Jess Breach and Sarah Beckett, but have added Ellie Boatman, the aforementioned Corson, Australian internationals Emily Chancellor and Bella Mackenzie plus Bryony Cleall. The latter, added to Shaunagh Brown and Chloe Edwards, surely gives Quins the best set of tightheads in the league. Perhaps their best signing was Amy Turner who takes over head coaching duties and will look to put her stamp on an already impressive squad.
Bristol Bears Women
Last season finish: 3rd
This year prediction: 5th
Key player: Amber Reed
We feel bad slotting Bristol Bears into fifth place, but there is so much talent at the top end of this league and not every team can secure a play-off place. Don’t count the Bears out though, they have a wealth of talent, including Simi Pam with her box-office tries and have added some extra quality with the likes of Lark Davies and Claire Molloy joining the team. If they can cure the inconsistency that saw them drop off the pace in the second half of last season, they could well prove us wrong!
Exeter Chiefs Women
Last season finish: 2nd
This year prediction: 4th
Key player: Kate Zackary
Susie Appleby’s team have made strides since joining the league two years ago and even though we are predicting them slipping a couple of places due to improvements elsewhere, we expect them to be a better outfit than last season. Chiefs have pounced on a few Wasps players, with MacDonald, Maloney and McMahon all relocating to Devon to bolster their ranks and have retained the core of US and Canadian players who have given them a cutting edge. Keep an eye on young English talent such as Merryn Doidge and Flo Robinson as they continue to grow into the league too.
Saracens Women
Last season finish: 1st
This year prediction: 1st
Key player: May Campbell
The gold standard for the Allianz Premier 15s, Saracens have won all but one season and have featured in every final. Alex Austerberry’s team is stuffed full of English talent from veterans like Marlie Packer through to exciting young talents such as Holly Aitchison. Add Jess Breach and Leanne Infante to the mix and you can practically fill the team with capped Red Roses. It’s their conveyor belt of young talent that really sets Saracens apart though, look for Cece Gordon-Hill to become a bigger part of the team this season and exciting young talent Chloe Langdale who returns from a series of injuries will be looking for a moment to shine too. Saracens will once again be the team to beat, and it’s expected that, once again, not many teams will manage to, especially at home.
Comments on RugbyPass
Gee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
72 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
19 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
5 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
15 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
19 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
19 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
19 Go to commentsthe success of the premiership can be summarized by : only 10 teams. It makes a huge difference with the overcrowded top 14 (let us not talk about Leinster and URC…)
2 Go to commentsGood for him. The ABs were fooling around again with converted fullbacks that had a penetration of a marshmallow. Laumape or as Aki has shown for Ireland, go forward is important in the centres. If it had been DMac - Aki- Aumua - Ioane- Telea- Jordan in France the final result would have been different.
4 Go to commentsDan Carter a apporté son professionnalisme, des méthodes de travail, un esprit qui manquaient à l’USAP. Son influence, même une fois blessé a été énorme. Et pour citer une anecdote, certains soirs il venait de lui-même à l’entraînement des jeunes pour dispenser ses conseils. On ne peut pas compter ce qu’il a apporté au club en heures de jeu sur le terrain. Est-ce que le club en a eu pour son argent ? Avec la publicité sur son nom et le titre, je suppose que oui.
1 Go to commentsThe SA sides are suffering from a bum rap here. There isn’t a side anywhere in the world that would do things differently in their shoes. They’ve been set up to fail in the EPCR comps by vested interests, with last minute intercontinental travel requirements that costs an arm and a leg to book in advance just on the possibility they might be required. And the total nonsense that denies any chance of home venues is entirely biased and absolutely unsporting. Either EPCR, the Top14 & the Gallagher Premiership get it sorted on a fair and equitable sporting basis for ALL participants or expect the ridicule to continue. Right now, these comps are a joke!
19 Go to commentsSA sides should do the right thing and leave the champions cup, they are lowering the standard with completely one sided games, not up to the right level. The greatest club tournament in the world is being banjaxed by the weak SA sides.
19 Go to comments