Director of rugby Steve Bates
Captain Carl Hayman
Arrivals Josh Afu (Doncaster), Charlie Amesbury (Harlequins), Tom Biggs (Leeds Carnegie), Gcobani Bobo (Stormers), Jimmy Gopperth (Cardiff Blues), James Hudson (London Irish), Filipo Levi (Ospreys), Chris Micklewood (Brive), Uche Oduoza (Suntory), Laurence Ovens (Bath), Rob Vickerman (Leeds Carnegie), Alex Walker (Saracens)
Key departures Phil Dowson, Tom May, Jamie Noon, Geoff Parling, Jonny Wilkinson, David Wilson
Last season Premiership: tenth. European Challenge Cup: quarter-finalists. The bookmakers’ favourites to finish bottom at the start of last season, they began miserably but produced a remarkable recovery after Christmas, winning six consecutive matches to ease fears of relegation.
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Prospects There has been such a huge turnover of players, it is impossible to predict with confidence how the new team will perform. There have been significant losses, including stalwarts such as Wilkinson, Noon, May and Dowson. But there are also useful signings, including Gopperth, the fly half, Levi, the No 8, and Bobo, the centre. It is up to Bates now to mould the new faces into a team.
Two to watch Biggs: On his previous appearances in the Premiership, with Leeds, the dynamic wing was a constant threat, blessed with pace and a keen finisher’s instinct. Hayman: Former All Black tight-head prop remains the rock around which the Falcons look to build.
Likely finish Mid-table at best