Northampton Saints will be out to defend their championship crown in what should be an especially competitive campaign when the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership kicks off this month.
Northampton Saints will be out to defend their championship crown in what should be an especially competitive campaign when the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership kicks off this month.
The contenders
The competitive nature of the Premiership means that there are always several teams in the mix for the title come the end of the season. Here are the five teams I reckon will be battling it out for the play-off spots.
Northampton Saints
After topping the log last term, Saints went on to down Saracens and Bath in the play-offs and clinch just their second-ever title. Having been in the Northampton coaching setup since his retirement in 2017, director of rugby and former player Phil Dowson added a fine defensive system to what was an already devastating attack as his side made more tackles and scored more points than any of their rivals last season.
Can they do all that again without club legend Courtney Lawes this time around? They’ll certainly be in the mix.
Last season: First, champions.
Player to watch: Burger Odendaal
Saracens
Much like a Saints side without Lawes, it’s almost unthinkable that Owen Farrell and the Brothers Vunipola will be missing for Sarries at the StoneX this season. Still, that is the reality for Mark McCall as he attempts to mastermind a way to reclaim the title after their dethroning at the hands of Northampton last season. There is still a wealth of experience in the squad to call on, but there is a sense that the club will be entering something of a new era in 2024/25.
The real key for them will be striking the right balance in their game after the departure of their veterans.
Last season: Fourth, semi-finalists
Player to watch: Maro Itoje
Bath
Despite equalling Northampton’s tally of 60-log points last season, Bath were denied a first-place finish on number of matches won. Though they went on to hold off Sale Sharks 31-23 in their semi-final at The Rec, they succumbed 21-25 to Saints in what was a pulse-pounding Grand Final. Evidently, the major investments made at the club are paying dividends, but Director of Rugby Johann van Graan will be eager to go one step further with his star-studded squad this campaign.
Last season: Second, runners-up
Player to watch: Thomas du Toit
Sale Sharks
Sale had an odd old season last time out, starting strongly, fading, only to come storming back by winning their last five round-robin games on the bounce to sneak into the semi-finals. Although they were ultimately bested by Bath in the last four, a year on from losing to Saracens in the previous season’s final, this group of powerhouse players under Alex Sanderson and Paul Deacon will be ready to give it another full crack and should be right in the thick of it come the business end.
Last season: Third, semi-finalists
Player to watch: Raffi Quirke
Leicester Tigers
Tigers simply weren’t at the races last season and their inability to string together a consistent run of positive results saw them finish in lowly eighth place – inexcusable for a squad with such undeniable talent and experience. Even without Jasper Wiese at the back of their pack though, there’s a feeling that this season could be different for the 2022 champions, who will look to make up lost time under superstar new head coach Michael Cheika.
Last season: Eighth
Player to watch: Tommy Reffell
Mid-table battlers
Bristol Bears
After topping the standings in a seismic albeit ultimately disappointing 2020-21 season, Bears have failed to replicate that kind of magic in their three campaigns since, finishing 10th in 2022, ninth in 2023 and fifth earlier this year. Although Pat Lam’s squad will be bolstered by the presence of Viliame Mata from Edinburgh, the departures of Kyle Sinckler, Callum Sheedy and Virimi Vakatawa could be costly in their quest to force their way back into the playoffs.
Last season: Fifth
Player to watch: Max Malins
Exeter Chiefs
Considering the amount of club stalwarts Chiefs lost at the beginning of last season, they did tremendously well to be as competitive as they were in finishing with 10 wins to their name. While it’s unlikely Rob Baxter’s men will have the minerals to challenge for the title in this immediate campaign, they will be no easy beats and their continual squad rebuilding should reap rewards down the line.
Last season: Seventh
Player to watch: Joe Hawkins
Harlequins
You just never know what you’re going to get with Quins. After finishing sixth last season with nine wins and nine losses to their name, is it any wonder the club is considered such an enigma? They should be there or thereabouts again this campaign but don’t have the consistency needed to properly challenge for the title.
Last season: Sixth
Player to watch: Tyrone Green
Bringing up the rear
Gloucester
The Cherry and Whites may have won the Premiership Rugby Cup and finished as EPCR Challenge Cup runners-up last season, but their five Premiership wins means it will be a surprise seeing them finish higher than ninth this campaign.
Last season: Ninth
Player to watch: Stephen Varney
Newcastle Falcons
Falcons would be far better off competing in the RFU Championship, but since there was no promotion/ relegation play-off at the conclusion of the last campaign, they’re here to stay. After losing every game they played last season, even one win would be an achievement for the competition strugglers.
Last season: 10th
Player to watch: Jamie Blamire
