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What is each Gallagher Premiership club's best XV following lockdown?

Back again: Jonny May has returned to Gloucester for a second spell - GETTY IMAGES
Back again: Jonny May has returned to Gloucester for a second spell - GETTY IMAGES

It's nearly five months since the Gallagher Premiership clubs last took to the field, but the sides they'll be fielding during the restart are considerably different to the XVs we last saw back in March.

Reviewing each of the Premiership's dozen sides, here is each club's best possible XV right now, with new names in italics.

Bath

Anthony Watson; Semesa Rokoduguni, Jonathan Joseph, Cameron Redpath, Joe Cokanasiga; Rhys Priestland, Ben Spencer; Beno Obano, Tom Dunn, Will Stuart, Will Spencer, Charlie Ewels, Zach Mercer, Sam Underhill, Taulupe Faletau

Cameron Redpath is yet to feature in the Premiership for Bath following his switch from Sale earlier this year, so practically counts as a new signing, and the England under-20 back’s ability to operate as a second playmaker points to Bath opening things up a bit in the backs. As Stuart Hooper, Bath’s director of rugby, pointed out to Telegraph Sport recently: “I have to go back to 2014-15 as the last when we had a genuine second ball-playing inside centre.”

The key new arrival however is Ben Spencer at scrum-half, with Bath looking for Spencer to bring his title-winning experience from Saracens and add real authority at half-back. Will Spencer, no relation, has also returned to the club via Worcester and Leicester, with Hooper singling out Spencer’s ability to run a lineout and his ball-carrying.

If everyone’s fit, Bath have a XV capable of pushing for the play-offs, but they will return to action five points off the pace for the top four. Plus if Rhys Priestland goes down at 10, cover remains worryingly light.

Few back row units in the league are better than Mercer-Underhill-Faletau, while Beno Obano and Will Stuart were rewarded for their excellent early-season form with England call-ups.

Bristol Bears

Max Malins; Charles Piutau, Semi Radradra, Piers O’Conor, Luke Morahan; Callum Sheedy, Harry Randall; Yann Thomas/Jake Woolmore, Harry Thacker, Kyle Sinckler, Dave Attwood, Chris Vui, Steven Luatua, Ben Earl, Nathan Hughes

Bristol really are a fascinating side. Moving the Premiership’s most devastating back, Charles Piutau, onto the wing might seem a little redundant, but there is not point in having Max Malins at the club on loan if he is going to get splinters on the bench. Mark McCall is reserved when it comes to wide-eyed acclaim and yet compared Malins to Beauden Barrett last December.

It’s the recruitment of Semi Radradra and Kyle Sinckler, however, that has turned Bristol into true title contenders. Radradra is worth every bit of hype that has been said about him over the last year and will break games open on his own. He was so good for Fiji in Japan. Sinckler meanwhile is yet to peak as a scrummager and is already the best tighthead in the country at 27.

We shouldn’t be sleeping on Ben Earl either, who can former a pretty remarkable back row alongside club captain Steven Luatua and a re-energised Nathan Hughes. It’s hard to say who is the better shout at loosehead, with Yann Thomas and Jake Woolmore battling for the shirt in the final rounds before lockdown.

Bristol’s strength outside of the star arrivals lies in the way previously lesser-known players have developed under Pat Lam: Piers O’Conor, Callum Sheedy, Harry Randall, Harry Thacker. Yes, Bristol have spent a fair wedge, but that growth shown by that young quartet in particular has been encouraging.

Fiji's Semi Radradra - AP
Fiji's Semi Radradra - AP

Exeter Chiefs

Stuart Hogg; Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Ollie Devoto, Olly Woodburn/Tom O’Flaherty; Joe Simmonds, Jack Maunder; Alec Hepburn, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tomas Francis, Jonny Gray, Jonny Hill, Dave Ewers, Don Armand, Sam Simmonds

Exeter certainly fit the philosophy that successful clubs only make small but significant alterations to their squad. 

Most of their off-field movements have focused on depth and youth - Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Corey Baldwin, Facundo Cordero (brother of former fan favourite Santi), Jack Walsh - while there is excitement around Josh Hodge’s development, having trained recently with England, after his switch from Newcastle Falcons. England Under-20 back-row Aaron Hinkley is another intriguing prospect.

And there is one genuine big hitter in Jonny Gray, who has built a reputation for never missing tackles and making bucket loads of them per season. Stuart Hogg’s move south last summer made sense and Gray is an even better fit, someone who will instantly buy into the mechanical efficiency of Exeter’s pack.

He tops up what was already an excellent side, where the only section quibble is probably who wears the 11 shirt. That’s a credit to Tom O’Flaherty, who has enjoyed a fine season. Also, with Nic White now back in Australia, this is Jack Maunder’s time to kick on.

Jonny Gray looks on during the Exeter Chiefs inter-squad match - GETTY IMAGES
Jonny Gray looks on during the Exeter Chiefs inter-squad match - GETTY IMAGES

Gloucester

Jason Woodward; Jonny May, Billy Twelvetrees, Mark Atkinson, Ollie Thorley; Danny Cipriani, Willi Heinz; Val Rapava Ruskin, Jack Singleton, Fraser Balmain, Ed Slater, Matias Alemanno, Ruan Ackermann, Jake Polledri, Ben Morgan

No club have hit the reset button harder during lockdown than Gloucester and it seems fair to expect a significant period of adjustment as George Skivington and his young coaching staff get to work.

There have been more departures at other clubs but Gloucester probably lead the way for the amount of front-line players who have moved on - Callum Braley, Franco Marais, Tom Marshall, Owen Williams, Franco Mostert, Gerbrandt Grobler, Ruan Dreyer, Josh Hohneck.

The majority of that group are from Gloucester’s tight five, which is why Jack Singleton, on loan from Saracens, and Matias Alemanno seem to be day-one starters, with Alemanno partnering up with senior player Ed Slater.

How can we forget Jonny May coming home either? The England international’s return still seems odd and, given he’s an automatic starter, means that one of Ollie Thorley or the exciting youngster Louis Rees-Zammit has to miss out. LRZ has a freakish try record but Thorley is the better all-round player at this point. The back row of Ackermann-Polledri-Morgan is certainly handy too.

Harlequins

Mike Brown; Chris Ashton, Joe Marchant, Andre Esterhuizen, Nathan Earle; Marcus Smith, Danny Care; Joe Marler, Scott Baldwin, Wilco Louw, Tevita Cavubati, Stephan Lewies, James Chisholm, Chris Robshaw/Jack Clifford, Alex Dombrandt

Chris Ashton never got to make his debut due to the lockdown after that surprise switch from Sale, which means Harlequins return from lockdown with a majorly overhauled backline following Mike Brown’s return to fitness and Joe Marchant coming back home after a highly successful stint in New Zealand with the Blues.

The battering ram signed up to create space for Brown, Ashton, Marchant and Earle is the South African centre Andre Esterhuizen, signed up from the Sharks and clocking in at 6ft 4in and 18 stone.

Otherwise it’s more of the same, with Chris Robshaw signing up to finish the season. The only change to Harlequins’ best pack is at tighthead, where Wilco Louw has also arrived from South Africa to replace Kyle Sinckler.

A couple of other signings to mention; Tyrone Green, the young South African wing caught the eye in Super Rugby at the start of the year and essentially replaces Gabriel Ibitoye. Scott Steele also joins a busy scrum-half room, behind Danny Care and Martin Landajo. Top four is the aim, with Harlequins returning seven points off the pace.

Joe Marchant has returned to Harlequins - GETTY IMAGES
Joe Marchant has returned to Harlequins - GETTY IMAGES

Leicester Tigers

George Worth/Kini Murimurivalu; Kobus van Wyk, Matias Moroni, Matt Scott, Nemani Nadolo; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Ellis Genge, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Calum Green/Blake Enever, Tomas Lavanini, Hanro Liebenberg, Cyle Brink, Jordan Taufua

An enormous overhaul, makes no bones about it. Outside of the familiar faces of Ben Youngs and George Ford, Leicester are returning with a brand new backline having lost some big hitters from the past few seasons: Manu Tuilagi, obviously, but also the excellent Telusa Veainu, plus of course England wing Jonny May. There have been enough incomings and outgoings for Leicester to genuinely consider using name tags at training.

I’ve kept George Worth, a promising talent, in the side at full-back, but Kini Murimurivalu could easily start there after arriving from La Rochelle. South African wing Kobus van Wyk arrives from the Hurricanes, while Matt Scott, familiar with the Premiership after playing at Gloucester, will link up with Argentina centre Matias Moroni. As for Nemani Nadolo, he should need no introduction, having been a star for the Crusaders before scoring a hugely impressive 53 tries in 69 games for Montpellier.

The Tigers’ pack has also seen a fair bit of turnover, with Will Spencer, Guy Thompson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Greg Bateman and Sione Kalamafoni among the departures. Cyle Brink pitches up from the Lions and could slot into the seven shirt, although he will face competition from former long-term Harlequins flanker Luke Wallace. Blake Enever’s career in Australia started promisingly but he never kicked on. He could though end up partnering Tomas Lavanini.

Factor in the arrival of Steve Borthwick as head coach and Leicester are practically redefining the phase ‘period of transition’. There are no expectations for the multi-Premiership winning club. But they have to carry something into next season.

London Irish

Tom Homer; Waisake Naholo, Curtis Rona, Terence Hepetema, Ollie Hassell-Collins/Ben Loader; Paddy Jackson, Nick Phipps; Allan Dell, Agustin Creevy, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Steve Mafi, Blair Cowan, Sean O’Brien, Albert Tuisue

More like London Australia these days, with Rob Simmons the latest Wallaby recruited by Irish, joining Curtis Rona, Nick Phipps, Sekope Kepu and Adam Coleman. Simmons isn’t arriving until the end of the Super Rugby AU campaign in September, while Telegraph Sport understands that Coleman will miss the rest of this Premiership season following an operation, hence his omission above.

There’s a return of a prodigal son however at full-back. Tom Homer spent five years with Bath and ended up leaving just as he was playing some of his best rugby due to the lockdown. He can be a day-one starter in a position where Irish have an attractive option in Tom Parton, but could use Homer’s experience.

Waisake Naholo (four games) and Sean O’Brien (one) will practically feel like brand new signings, and high quality ones too if they can return for the restart injury free. Agustin Creevy is joining the Exiles at hooker and while he might be 35, he’ll bring a wealth of experience and leadership, plus a try-scoring threat off rolling mauls.

It seems fair to bill the Exiles’ first season back in the Premiership as a success already, having shown flashes of promise and never really looking like a side set for the drop even before Saracens’ punishment. The development of young wings Ollie Hassell-Collins (seven league tries) and Ben Loader has been particularly pleasing. If Kyle Eastmond joins as expected, he could take the 12 shirt.

Agustin Creevy of Argentina - GETTY IMAGES
Agustin Creevy of Argentina - GETTY IMAGES

Northampton Saints

George Furbank; Tom Collins, Matt Proctor, Rory Hutchinson, Taqele Naiyaravoro; Dan Biggar, Alex Mitchell; Alex Waller, Mike Haywood, Owen Franks, Alex Moon, Courtney Lawes, Nick Isiekwe, Lewis Ludlam, Teimana Harrison

Mainly tweaks under the hood at Northampton as opposed to the starting XV. The club have a group of talented locks including Api Ratuniyarawa, Alex Coles, Alex Moon and David Ribbans.

However, Nick Isiekwe could slot right into the second row, or maybe the back row, alongside his England team-mate Courtney Lawes. It doesn’t seem too harsh to suggest that Isiekwe has lost his way a bit, out of the England squad and missing the Rugby World Cup. A change of scene might be just what the 22 year-old needs as part of a dynamic young Northampton side.

Saints fans are no doubt still pining for Cobus Reinach, understandably, but this is Alex Mitchell’s time to shine and make the shirt his own, with the England apprentice over his injury issues.

Bringing back Jamie Gibson as back-row cover has been a popular move as fourth-placed Saints looks to finish the season on a strong note and bag a top four finish. Teimana Harrison is playing some of his best rugby for some time, too, while Tom Wood is sadly out for the season.

Sale Sharks

Simon Hammersley; Denny Solomona, Manu Tuilagi, Rohan Janse van Rensburg/Sam Hill, Marland Yarde/Byron McGuigan; Robert du Preez, Faf de Klerk; Ross Harrison, Akker van der Merwe, Coenie Oosthuizen, Jono Ross, Lood de Jager, Ben Curry, Tom Curry, Jean-Luc du Preez

Already incredibly strong and now with Manu Tuilagi in the mix, which could mean we could get the heavyweight combination of the England centre and Rohan Janse van Rensburg pummelling defenders.

Not that Sam Hill should be ruled out from starting, having made the switch from Exeter Chiefs. Tuilagi will put bums on seats but it’s Hill who is going to be around week in, week out and who may well end up having the bigger long-term impact.

Long-term lock Bryn Evans has been released, with hooker Rob Webber retiring after four seasons with the Sharks, but otherwise it’s largely business as usual. The XV above contains seven Springboks and an England flanker, which is hardly bad going.

Faf de Klerk, unsurprisingly, is integral, benefiting from playing behind a dominant Sharks pack just as he does for South Africa.

Manu Tuilagi of Sale Sharks - GETTY IMAGES
Manu Tuilagi of Sale Sharks - GETTY IMAGES

Saracens

Alex Goode; Sean Maitland, Duncan Taylor, Brad Barritt, Elliot Daly; Owen Farrell, Richard Wigglesworth; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Vincent Koch, Maro Itoje, Joel Kpoku, Calum Clark, Jackson Wray, Billy Vunipola

It’s more about the outgoings rather than the incomings at Saracens. Alex Goode has agreed a short-term extension to finish out the season before he departs for Japan, where George Kruis has already gone.

The outgoings on loan include Nick Isiekwe, Ben Earl, Max Malins, Alex Lozowski, Nick Tompkins and Jack Singleton. That’s a heavy chunk of the first-team squad, particularly in midfield. Brad Barritt will be around until the end of the season and that’s it. Other departures include Matt Gallagher, Titi Lamositele, Rhys Carre and Will Skelton.

All of the signings made are depth-based - Will Hooley, Harry Sloan, Juan Pablo Socino, Tim Swinson - so while the first-team remains strong, with multiple British and Irish Lions set to turn out in the Championship, the resources behind that have taken an expected dip.

Saracens’ season hinges on their Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster anyway, with relegation already guaranteed.

Wasps

Matteo Minozzi; Zack Kibirige/Marcus Watson, Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Mills, Josh Bassett; Lima Sopoaga/Jacob Umaga, Dan Robson; Simon McIntyre, Tommy Taylor, Kieran Brookes, Joe Launchbury, Will Rowlands, Thomas Young, Jack Willis, Brad Shields

Ryan Mills feels as though he should have been a Wasps players year ago and now the 28 year-old, who was invited to train with England a couple of years back under Eddie Jones, can fill a key role as a second playmaker in Wasps’ backline.

Lockdown came at the wrong time for Wasps and new head coach Lee Blackett. The club are still yet to get the best out of Lima Sopoaga and that’s partly because Jacob Umaga has been so impressive this season, noticeably benefiting from his time training with England alongside Owen Farrell and George Ford.

Wasps have actually made the fewest signings out of any Premiership side going into next season, bringing in Mills and wing Myles Edwards, although Alfie Barbeary, who was excellent prior to lockdown, has rightly been promoted to the senior squad.

Picking two wings out of Josh Bassett, Zach Kibirige and Marcus Watson isn’t easy - and that’s a nice problem for Blackett to have. Nizaam Carr’s go-forward carrying will be missed, after the No 8 returned to South Africa.

Ryan Mills in action for his old club Worcester Warriors - GETTY IMAGES
Ryan Mills in action for his old club Worcester Warriors - GETTY IMAGES

Worcester Warriors

Chris Pennell; Tom Howe, Ollie Lawrence, Francois Venter, Melani Nanai; Duncan Weir/Billy Searle, Francois Hougaard; Ethan Waller, Matt Moulds, Nick Schonert, Anton Bresler, Graham Kitchener, Ted Hill, Matt Kvesic, Cornell du Preez

Another club welcoming back a talented academy product, as Matt Kvesic comes back to Sixways after stints with Gloucester and Exeter Chiefs.

It has never quite worked out with England, with Kvesic still clearly on the radar given he was capped shortly before last year’s Rugby World Cup, but there’s so much to like about him with his work-rate and breakdown skills. Ted Hill, the club’s 21-year-old captain, should thrive playing alongside Kvesic too.

Billy Searle has joined from Wasps and can push a rejuvenated Duncan Weir for the fly-half slot, while Joe Batley, the third and final addition by Worcester, adds depth at lock.

There’s more interest though in the players Worcester already have. Melani Nanai has a lot more to give, based on his performances for the Blues in Super Rugby, while the hype around Ollie Lawrence at outside centre is deserved. Not forgetting all that Francois Hougaard offers at scrum-half, either.