Bath Rugby

Founded:1865

Director of rugby: Johaan Van Graan

last season's finish: 2nd (lost in final)

key player: Fin Russell (fly-half #10)

This season's narrative: After finishing 2nd last year and adding more quality players in the summer, can Bath go one better and finally win a premiership title in the 21st century?

Bristol Bears

 Founded: 1888

Director of rugby: Pat Lam

last season's finish: 5th

Key player: Bernhard Van Rensburg (inside centre #12)

This season's narrative: Bristol have been the league's entertainers but went away from their DNA at the start of last season which cost them dearly. They finished with massive momentum, only just missing out on a playoff place. Can they continue their style and form into next season? 

Exeter Chiefs

Founded:1872

Director of rugby: Rob Baxter

Last season's finish: 7th

Key Player:  Henry Slade (outside centre #13)

This season's narrative: The Chiefs still have a lot of young players who had a very successful season last year. They are also held together by quality veterans such as Henry Slade. The biggest question for the Chiefs is whether or not their halfbacks are good enough to take the team to the playoffs in a league with several world-class halfbacks.

Gloucester Rugby

Founded: 1873

Director of rugby: George Skivington

Last season's finish: 9th

Key player: Gareth Anscombe (fly-half #10)

This season's narrative: Last season was a massive struggle for Gloucester and head coach George Skivington is probably the head coach under the most pressure in the league this season. The club have splashed out on a new halfback pairing of welsh internationals, Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe. Anscombe, in particular, has a long injury history so the question is, can he stay fit and lead Gloucester to a point where they can compete for a Champion's Cup place at the very least?

Harlequins

Founded: 1866

Director of rugby: Billy Millard

Last season's finish: 6th

Key player: Marcus Smith (fly-half #10)

This season's narrative: After only narrowly missing out on playoffs and achieving their best ever European campaign, Harlequins  will be looking to replicate that success this time around, though perhaps with a slightly better premiership ending. Their success was massively helped by the scrummaging of Will Collier(tighthead prop #3) and the power of Andre (the giant) Esterhuizen (inside centre#12). How will Quins cope without these crucial contributors this season?

Leicester Tigers

Founded: 1880

Director of rugby: Michael Cheika

Last season's finish: 8th

Key player: Handre Pollard (fly-half #10)

This season's narrative: The Tigers have spent the last couple of seasons coping with instability in the coaching department with Steve Borthwick and Richard Wigglesworth being poached by England and Dan Mckellar leaving by mutual consent after just one season. In steps the experienced Michael Cheika.  He has a track record of success across the game and is expected to bring that to welford Road. Leicester have a squad packed with stars so can the addition of Cheika catapult them back into title contention?

Founded: 1877

Director of rugby: Steve Diamond

Last season's finish: 10th

Key player: Jamie Blamire (hooker #2)

This season's narrative: The Falcons finished rock bottom last season and lost every singkle premiership game. You'd think that means things can only get better, but this year a relegation playoff is a near certainty so even though this Newcastle team will be improved with a full season under Steve Diamond they are at much greater risk of consequences for defeats. Will Newcastle be able to maintain their premiership status whilst undergoing a financial stabilisation?

Founded: 1880

Director of rugby: Phil Dowson

Last season's finish: 1st (champions)

Key player: Fin Smith (fly-half #10)

This season's narrative: After lifting the trophy last season, the Saints lost crucial back-rowers Courtney Lawes and Lewis Ludlam. They have been replaced by Josh Kemeny and emerging talent Henry Pollock but expecting those players to reach the same levels is perhaps unrealistic. Given these losses, can the Saints hold off Bath and Sale once again?

Founded: 1861

Director of rugby: Alex Sanderson

Last season's finish: 3rd

Key player: George Ford (fly-half #10)

This season's narrative: The northerners have come very close to repeating the feats of their 2005-6 predecessors, reaching the final 2 years ago and a semi-final last season. Can they go one step closer?