Same old story in Premiership with Saracens' dominance set to continue
Saracens launch their bid to win a third consecutive Premiership crown this season – but can anyone stop them from steamrollering their way to yet another title?
Mark McCall’s Saracens have been a regular feature in the Premiership final at Twickenham, appearing five times in the last six years and scooping the main prize on four of those occasions.
The London outfit beat Exeter in the last two showpiece finals to take their title tally to five. Success this year would see them draw level with both Bath and Wasps, who have six titles apiece, although they still have a way to get on level terms with Leicester, who have 10 Premiership crowns.
Saracens are odds-on favourites with bookmakers to win their third successive title before they kick off their new campaign against Northampton, with Exeter slated as their biggest challenger, suggesting another arm wrestle between the west country and north London.
The Rugby World Cup is currently underway in Japan and, while the game’s biggest stars are focused on lifting the Webb Ellis Cup on November 2, over on home soil the Premiership Rugby Cup is giving fans an early indication of what is in store this season.
While the competition might be used to give younger players game time and experience, it also highlights the strength and depth of each squad.
Saracens have claimed two heavy wins to date and one defeat – the same as last season’s title rivals Exeter – while Sale and Harlequins both made perfect starts.
But of course, the returning world class stars are the players that will make a difference, and that is where Saracens have a wealth of riches, making up a quarter of Eddie Jones’s side in Japan.
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England captain Owen Farrell, powerhouse forwards Billy and Mako Vunipola, hookers Jamie George and Jack Singleton, full-back – and new signing – Elliot Daly, and rampaging locks George Kruis and Maro Itoje.
They make up 15 players from Saracens who have gone to the World Cup, making them the Premiership side with the greatest representation at the tournament and showing the talents they will capitalise on in the domestic season.
Exeter, too, have a wealth of talent and Bath boasted six players in action in Japan, while Leicester have nine.
Experienced loose forward Justin Tipuric will captain his country for the first time in his 69-test career. #RWC2019 #WALvURU https://t.co/juZvRTXr9K
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 11, 2019
Promoted London Irish could be a surprise package with big-name signings including Ireland international Sean O’Brien, Tonga’s Steve Mafi, Scotland’s Allan Dell and Australia internationals Adam Coleman and Sekope Kepu.
Last season Saracens topped the points-scoring charts, closely followed by Exeter, who ran in 100 tries to Saracens’ 88, although Leicester’s George Ford was the top points scorer and Sale’s Denny Solomona and Northampton’s Cobus Reinach claimed joint honours as top try scorers with 12 apiece.
However, with Saracens’ collective force and a winning habit, it is hard to see past them booking their place in the final at Twickenham on June 20, 2020.
– PA
Are England favourites to take our the Rugby World Cup?:
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments