Saracens

Can Alan Gaffney, the new man in charge, keep Saracens on an upward curve?

Gaffney may not have taken over his role officially until the start of pre-season training on June 19, but he was part of the scenery at Saracens for the past two months of last season. Expect continuity and a strong early showing.

Farrell apart, who are the players who can make Saracens genuine heavyweights?

There will be responsibility on hard-bitten forwards such as Cobus Visagie, Hugh Vyvyan, right, Simon Raiwalui and Shane Byrne to give an edge up front, and Thomas Castaignède, Glen Jackson and Ben Johnston to provide direction in the backs. Richard Hill, meanwhile, insists that his magnificent career still has time to run.

How have Saracens prepared for the new season and where will they finish?

An initial week in Portugal to concentrate on fitness and team bonding was followed by more hard work at the training ground in Hatfield. However, Saracens look a little short of inspiration to go with the perspiration. Mid-table at best.

TRANSFERS

INS: Paul Gustard (London Irish), Census Johnston (Biarritz), Ross Laidlaw (London Irish), Fabio Ongaro (Treviso), Pelu Pavihi (Otago), Rodd Penney (London Irish), Kameli Ratuvou (Fiji), Tomas De Vedia (San Isidro, Argentina)

OUTS: Emmanuel Amapakabo (released), Steffon Armitage (London Irish), Paul Bailey (released), Mark Bartholomeusz (Ulster), Kyran Bracken (retired), Taine Randell (retired), Nnamdi Obi (released), Billy O’Driscoll (released), Ben J Russell (released)

PRE-MATCH AT VICARAGE ROAD?

Start your match day at the Saracens Village behind the South Stand, complete with hog roast and bar area open from 1pm. If you’re lucky, you might grab a word with the players who sometimes wander through.

HOW ABOUT THE ON-FIELD ENTERTAINMENT?

Gates open around 1.30pm, when the entertainment also starts within the stadium. You’ll see a variety of on-pitch skills and junior rugby games, along with half-time competitions and Sarrie the Camel, the mascot, strutting his stuff. The Fez Boys, recognisable in their red headgear, will lead the singing and chanting from the Lower Rous Stand and try to keep everyone in time with their drums.

IS IT EASY TO GET A TICKET?

Yes; 3,500 are taken by season ticket-holders, but with a capacity of over 19,000, plenty of tickets are available on match day, or at a discount if booked in advance online.

SQUAD

BACKS: T Castaignède (nationality: Fr), T De Vedia (Arg), A Dickens (Eng), D Harris (Eng), R Haughton (Eng), G Jackson (NZ), B Johnston (Eng), R Laidlaw (Sco), R Penney (Aus), A Powell (Eng), K Ratuvou (Fiji), M Rauluni (Fiji), D Scarbrough (Eng), K Sorrell (Eng), T Vaikona (Tonga)

FORWARDS: B Broster (Wales), S Byrne (Ire), M Cairns (Eng), K Chesney (Eng), A Farrell (Eng), I Fullarton (Sco), P Gustard (Eng), R Hill (Eng), C Johnston (Sam), A Kyriacou (Eng), N Lloyd (Eng), F Ongaro (It), P-T Pavihi (Sam), S Raiwalui (Fiji), B Russell (Eng), T Ryder (Eng), D Seymour (Eng), B Skirving (Eng), J Visagie (SA), H Vyvyan (Eng), K Yates (Eng).

ONE TO WATCH

FABIO ONGARO

The tough, experienced Italy hooker could be one of the signings of the season.

FIXTURES

September

2 London Wasps (h, Twickenham)

10 Bristol (a)

17 Newcastle Falcons (h)

22 Sale Sharks (a)

30 London Irish (a)

October

8 Cardiff Blues (h)

15 Bath (h)

22 Glasgow (h)

28 Narbonne (a)

November

4 Gloucester (a)

12 Leicester (h)

18 Northampton (a)

26 Worcester (h)

December

3 London Wasps (h)

10 GRAN Parma (h)

16 GRAN Parma (a)

22 Harlequins (a)

27 Northampton (h)

January

1 Leicester (a)

7 London Irish (a)

12/13/14 Narbonne (h)

19/20/21 Glasgow (a)

28 London Irish (h)

February

18 Gloucester (h)

24 Bath (a)

March

4 Sale Sharks (h)

9 Newcastle Falcons (a)

18 Bristol (h)

April

8 London Wasps (a)

15 Harlequins (h)

28 Worcester (a)

KEY

Premiership

EDF Anglo-Welsh Cup

European Challenge Cup