Head coach Toby Booth
Captain Bob Casey
Arrivals Ryan Lamb (Gloucester), Jamie Lennard (Doncaster Knights), Andy Perry (Newcastle Falcons), George Stowers (Kobe Steel)
Departures Shane Geraghty, James Hudson, Tonga Lea’aetoa, Richard Skuse
Last season Premiership: finalists. European Challenge Cup: quarter-finalists. Started to believe that they were genuine top-three material and that the Heineken Cup semi-final of 2008 was not a flash in the pan. Self-confidence helped by England’s selection of Delon Armitage and Nick Kennedy, but still feeding in talented youngsters such as Tom Homer and winning a reputation for attractive and effective rugby.
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Prospects Must establish their general at fly half, otherwise the ingredients are there for a highly successful season. Time for Mike Catt to develop as a coach and leave the playing to others. Only Leicester scored more points than the Irish and no club conceded fewer, so the foundations are there. Now they need the consistency that is the hallmark of winners and that includes goalkicking — an area of Armitage’s game that he should be allowed to develop.
Two to watch Steffon Armitage: Won his first England cap last season but gained only limited opportunities for his unique open-side talents. Adding judgment to his pace and physical attributes is the key. At fly half the move of Jamie Lennard from Doncaster Knights is interesting; he is said to have all the skills.
Likely finish Finalists again