Head coach Shaun Edwards
Captain Tom Rees
Arrivals Jason Hobson (Bristol), Ben Jacobs (Saracens), Steve Kefu (Castres), David Lemi (Bristol), Dan Ward-Smith (Bristol)
Departures Ian McGeechan (director of rugby), Riki Flutey, James Haskell, Josh Lewsey, Tom Palmer, Eoin Reddan, Tom Voyce
Last season Premiership: seventh. Heineken Cup: pool. The first campaign for six years without a trophy, caught in the crossfire of representative demands on coaching staff and players, the retirement of Lawrence Dallaglio and stylistic problems. Left with too much to do in the second half of the season but showed signs of regeneration.
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Prospects Significant newcomers must find their feet, particularly behind the scrum — Kefu, Jacobs and the wings, Lemi and Tom Varndell — but the possibilities are infinite. Must develop a lot more “dog” among the forwards and ensure that they have the momentum from which two such promising half backs as Danny Cipriani and Joe Simpson can dominate opponents. Too much to hope that they can be as consistent as the trophy winners of old.
Two to watch Ward-Smith: The nearly England No 8 of two years ago before a knee reconstruction should find that playing alongside Joe Worsley and Tom Rees will do his ambitions no harm. Kefu, in midfield, has hard acts to follow in Flutey and Fraser Waters but the former Australia centre’s experience could be integral to the development of the back division.
Likely finish Top half