LEICESTER TIGERS
Ground Welford Road .
Capacity 16,500.
ManagerDean Richards .
Coach John Wells. .
Captain Martin Johnson .
Last season .
Premiership: champions.
Heineken Cup: champions
Castaignède's view The big favourites again, with the same strengths as in the past, and few changes in the line-up. Franck Tournaire is a good signing, as Darren Garforth is getting old even though he's still good. They'll be able to alternate the two of them. Without Andy Goode they will have to play Austin Healey at fly-half, where he's good over a few matches but untested for a whole season. Letting Goode come to Saracens was a mistake but we're happy about it.
Man to watch Franck Tournaire. Imported to add extra bite and drive to the Tigers' scrummage; if he settles quickly, it will be bad news for Leicester's rivals.
Players in Joseph Naufahu (Canterbury), Franck Tournaire (Toulouse), Tom Tierney (Garryowen), Gareth Raynor (Hull RL), Rhys Williams (Kowloon, Hong Kong).
Players out Richard Cockerill (Montferrand), Andy Goode (Saracens)
SALE SHARKS
Ground Heywood Road .
Capacity 5,700.
Director of rugby Jim Mallinder.
Captain Bryan Redpath.
Last season.
Premiership: 2nd.
Heineken Cup: DNQ
Castaignède's view One of last year's big surprises. A very tight-knit side, with the golden bullet Jason Robinson to produce the killer touch. The picture is one of continuity over the summer: they've built something worthwhile and are going for stability. Graeme Bond's arrival will make the back line even harder to play against. Definitely a candidate for the top three.
Man to watch Graeme Bond. The talented and versatile Wallaby will be licensed to thrill alongside Jason Robinson once he finally flies in this autumn from the ACT Brumbies.
In Graeme Bond (ACT Brumbies), John Roddam (Harlequins), Barrie Stewart (Edinburgh), Jim Thorp (Rotherham), Nick Walshe (Saracens). .
Out Adam Black (Ebbw Vale), Les Bone, Jim Bramhall, Steve Davidson (Manchester), Paul Devlin (Widnes RL), Alan Dickens, Mark Giacheri (Connacht), Bernard Jackman (Leinster), Rowen Shepherd (retired), Andy Whittle (Manchester)
GLOUCESTER
Ground Kingsholm.
Capacity 11,000.
Director of rugby Nigel Melville.
Captain Phil Vickery.
Last season.
Premiership: 3rd.
Heineken Cup: DNQ
Castaignède's view They progressed a lot last year but still let Philippe Saint-Andr¿ go. That means they are back in a reconstruction phase but they'll still be well placed. Dean Ryan will suit their tough forward ethos and Nigel Melville will provide the touch of finesse, so that combination will work well. They have brilliant individuals like Phil Vickery, a great kicker in Ludovic Mercier and young talent in James Simpson-Daniel.
Man to watch James Simpson-Daniel. Quite simply the most gifted English runner since Jeremy Guscott.
In Peter Buxton (Newport), Thinus Delport (Natal Sharks), Simon Amor (Cambridge University).
Out Diego Albanese (Leeds), Joe Ewens (Rotherham), Pierre Caillet, Koli Sewabu, Dimitri Yachvili (all Biarritz), Craig Gillies (Worcester), Federico Pucciarello (Bourgoin)
LONDON IRISH
Ground Madejski Stadium .
Capacity 24,200.
Director of rugby Conor O'Shea.
Player/coach Brendan Venter.
Captain Ryan Strudwick.
Last season.
Premiership: 4th.
Heineken Cup: DNQ
Castaignède's view They play the most attractive and open rugby in the Premiership and are a complete team, with Brendan Venter the tactician, Barry Everitt's kicking and strong backs like Rob Appleforth. They've not recruited heavily but why change a winning formula? The one outfit which might rattle Leicester. I'd make them the No1 outsiders for the title.
Man to watch Pieter Rossouw. The powerful Springbok winger ranks among the most effective finishers in world rugby.
In Bob Casey (Leinster), Nick Burrows, Mark Mapletoft (both Harlequins), Pieter Rossouw (Western Province), Pierre Durant (Saracens) .
Out Richard Bates, Nnamdi Ezulike (both Worcester), Eddie Halvey (Munster), Simon Hunt (Narbonne), Craig Turvey, Jason Wright (Cambridge University), Steve Williams (Northampton)
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Ground Franklin's Gardens .
Capacity 12,600.
Director of rugby Wayne Smith.
Captains Budge Pountney, John Leslie.
Last season.
Premiership: 5th.
Heineken Cup: pool stages.
Castaignède's view Mid-table men: I don't see them above fourth. They are consistent and well drilled and gave us a hard time at Saracens last year but something is missing. Paul Grayson is a great fly-half but they aren't great finishers and lack a little sparkle. Matt Dawson is the player they will look to for a psychological boost and the live-wire hooker Steve Thompson was one of the revelations of Last season.
Man to watch Robbie Morris. A young English prop with all the makings of a future international. Expect the Saints' pack to pull their considerable weight.
In Mark Connors (Queensland Reds), Simon Hepher (Colomiers), Bruce Reihana (Waikato Chiefs), Oriol Ripol (Rotherham), Steve Williams (London Irish).
Out Olivier Brouzet (Montferrand), Ali Hepher (Bedford), Dom Malone (Munster), Luca Martin (Rovigo) Craig Moir, Andy Rennick (both Borders), Simon Webster (Edinburgh)
NEWCASTLE FALCONS
Ground Kingston Park .
Capacity 10,000.
Director of rugby Rob Andrew .
Coach Steve.
Bates .
Captain Jonny Wilkinson .
Last season.
Premiership: 6th .
Heineken Cup: Pool stages
Castaignède's view A lot of key talents have left during the summer: Inga Tuigamala, George Graham, Gary Armstrong and Pat Lam were guys who gave confidence to the young players around them in difficult moments. They will be looking for new players to come through in that role. Jonny Wilkinson will be crucial and there are some great young backs behind him, although the loss of Dave Walder (broken leg) will be a big blow.
Man to watch Hugh Vyvyan. Good bloke and fine player who has become a key member of the Falcons' pack.
In Steve Brotherstone (Northampton Saints), Phil Godman (Newcastle Academy), James Grindal (Leicester Tigers), Soa Otuvaka (Tynedale), Andrew Springgay (Newcastle Academy), Joe Shaw (Northampton Saints), Mark Wilkinson (Gateshead/Darlington).
Out Gary Armstrong (Borders), Christian Balshen (New Zealand), George Graham (Borders), Pat Lam (retired), Inga Tuigamala (retired), Doddie Weir (Borders)
LONDON WASPS
Ground Adams Park .
Capacity 10,200.
Director of rugby Warren Gatland .
Captain Joe Worsley .
Last season.
Premiership: 7th .
Heineken Cup: Pool stages
Castaignède's view They can't make a worse start to the season than they did last year, but things look better: a new stadium, Lawrence Dallaglio fully fit, hopefully for the whole season, and the best buy of the summer in Rob Howley. Dallaglio will be "Monsieur Plus" as usual, but Howley will have a big impact: he will give Alex King a little bit more time to play with at fly-half, he's highly enterprising, has an eye for a gap, has great legs and has a career to relaunch.
Man to watch Rob Howley. Might have moved to England a couple of years back; if he stays fit will give Wasps an extra dimension.
In Rob Howley (Cardiff).
Out Colin Allan, Mike Friday (Rosslyn Park), Rory Jenkins (Swansea), Ian Jones (retired), Dugald Macer, Laurence Scrase
BRISTOL SHOGUNS
Ground Memorial Stadium .
Capacity 11,800.
Director of rugby Peter Thorburn.
Captain Ross Beattie. .
Last season.
Premiership: 8th.
Heineken Cup: DNQ
Castaignède's view Another surprise of Last season, after they came good in the last month or so. That might have had something to do with Jason Little pushing them before he retired; now they have to keep that impetus going or doubts will set in again. Up-and-coming backs like Phil Christophers will play their part but the Argentinian half-back combination of Felipe Contepomi and Agustin Pichot is vital. They are like deadly Siamese twins: the Bristol poisoners.
Man to watch Phil Christophers. Played (and scored) for England on the wing in Argentina but has the talent to shine just as brightly at outside centre.
In Duncan Hayward, Richard Hunt, Richard Skuse (all Bristol Academy), Scott Morgan (Llanelli), Peter Richards (Treviso), Martin Shaw (Sharks).
Out Ross Blake (Bath), Jim Brownrigg (Cardiff), Alex Cadwallader (Newport), Jason Little (retired), Sean Marsden (Neath), Mike McCarrick, Adam Vander (Bath)
NEC HARLEQUINS
Ground The Stoop.
Capacity 9,500.
Director of rugby Mark Evans.
Coach Paul Turner .
Captain Jason Leonard.
Last season.
Premiership: 9th .
Heineken Cup: Pool stages
Castaignède's view If there's a big question mark over any single team in the dozen, it hangs over these guys. You just don't know what to expect - brilliance or dross - but that is how they have usually been in recent years. Even with Andre Vos they will be underpowered up front. There are lots of leaders, including one of the best in Keith Wood, but cohesion may be hard to find. They have a fine stadium and passionate support - all they have to do is live up to it.
Man to watch Andre Vos. Still only 27, the former Springbok captain should arrive in October. Quins would love him earlier.
In Pablo Cardinalli (Buenos Aires), Seb Fitzgerald (Oxford University), Laurent Gomez (Montferrand), Simon Miall (Oxford University), Viliame Satala (Mont de Marsan), Andre Vos (The Cats), Nathan Williams (Stade Fran¿ais).
Out Nick Burrows (London Irish), Bruce Douglas (Borders), Mark Mapletoft (London Irish), Garrick Morgan (Pau), Adrian Olver (Worcester), Ryan O'Neill, Tu Tamarua (Swansea), Steve White-Cooper (retired), David Wilson (retired)
SARACENS
Ground Vicarage Road.
Capacity 22,000.
Director of rugby Wayne Shelford .
Captain Kyran Bracken .
Last season.
Premiership: 10th .
Heineken Cup: DNQ
Castaignède's view Chasing success as ever, and let's hope we find it. We've recruited well, even if we still lack a prop. Abdel Benazzi will be fired up for his Last season, Andy Goode has a point or two to make, there's some new power in Christian Califano and Craig Quinnell, and young players like Tom Shanklin, Kevin Sorrell and Adryan Winnan. There's also a mental boost from our new coach Wayne Shelford. We have all the ingredients for a good mayonnaise; all we need is the stove at the right temperature.
Man to watch Christian Califano. The injury jinx which has affected so many Saracens signings has struck again; the French prop will miss the opening weeks but should still make a difference.
In Christian Califano (Auckland Blues), Andy Goode (Leicester Tigers), Nicky Little (Pontypridd), Johnny Marsters (Swansea).
Craig Quinnell (Cardiff), Joe Ross (Worcester), Morgan Williams (Stade Fran¿ais), Craig Yandell (Narbonne).
Out Khalid Benazzi (France), Steve Cheesebrough (Pau), Ben Cole (Exeter Chiefs), Jannie de Beer (retired), Pierre Durant (London Irish), Scott Murray (Edinburgh), Luke Smith (Birmingham/Solihull), Nick Walshe (Sale)
BATH
Ground Recreation Ground .
Capacity 8,200.
Director of rugby Jack Rowell .
Team Director Michael Foley .
Captain Danny Grewcock .
Last season.
Premiership: 11th .
Heineken Cup: Quarter-finalists
Castaignède's view A vital year for them as they have to get their heads out of the water before they drown. They have plenty of quality players in the side but, like Saracens, the problem last year was finding the right rhythm and, like us, they are capable of far better. Jack Rowell's return could be the psychological key but they still seem dependent on Mike Catt to make the difference in the tight matches and, given the quality of this year's Premiership, there will be plenty of those.
Man to watch Alessio Galasso. Signed from Montferrand to add oomph to Bath's front row, his new paymasters will be looking for instant results.
In Ross Blake (Bristol Shoguns), Alessio Galasso (Montferrand), Jonathan Humphreys (Cardiff), Chris Malone (Exeter), Adam Vander (Bristol Shoguns).
Out Sam Cox (Caerphilly, loan), Mark Gabey (Worcester), Mark Regan (Leeds)
LEEDS TYKES
Ground Headingley.
Capacity 24,000.
Director of rugby Phil Davies.
Captain Mike Shelley .
Last season.
Premiership: 12th.
Heineken Cup: DNQ
Castaignède's view Another big surprise of Last season, even if they did finish bottom of the table. A hard-working team, who never give in: I'd tip them for mid-table, a comfortable eighth or ninth. Their strengths are a lot of pride in the jersey, a strong team spirit, a powerful pack, Bram van Straaten to control the game and Japie Mulder for the cutting edge. Jon Callard will give the backs a lighter touch and Mark Regan will have plenty to prove.
Man to watch Diego Albanese. The Pumas winger will become a Yorkshire folk hero if he scores tries to match his effort which helped defeat France in Buenos Aires this summer.
In Diego Albanese (Gloucester), Jon Callard (coach, Bath), Stewart Campbell (Benetton Treviso), George Harder (Auckland), Derek Hegarty (Munster), Mark Regan (Bath), Gordon Ross (Edinburgh).
Out Steve Bachop (retired), Octavio Bartolucci (Agen), John Benson (Wakefield), Ian Clarke, Kris Fullman (Orrell), Eddie Jones (retired), Richard Le Bas, John O'Reilly, Shaun Woof (Birmingham/Solihull).
