Gallagher Premiership 2018/19 - What You Should Know
Gallagher Premiership 2018/19 - What You Should Know!
With the rugby season about to kick-off we look ahead as to what this season has to offer. Focussing on the recent summer signings and set backs that Premiership clubs are having to adapt too before this seasons' opening games.
Key Signings
Chris Ashton and Strettle are back in the Premiership. The deadly former Sarries partnership have scored over 650 points and over 120 tries between them in the Premiership. While both went to progress their careers in France for the last year or so the 2018/19 season is looking bright for some top finishing with both players making their returns!
Ashton: The winger has returned to the country to play for Sale this season after equalling the top 14 try scoring record in just one year playing in France. Having also been named in the England 44 man training squad for the autumn internationals on his return, the try machine may now have to come to terms with not being able to play for his country. This comes as a result of his actions in the pre-season friendly that resulted in Ashton receiving a 7 week ban after a dangers tip tackle against Rory Krockott, ruling him out of all the England games this autumn.
Strettle: After enjoying 3 seasons with Clermont. The old boy just couldn't let go of his past with Saracens. He has played 96 times for Saracens helping them win multiple Premiership and European titles, he's now hungry for more and is looking to become a centurion for saracens this season.
Cipriani: After signing a new contract with Gloucester for the 2018/19 season, Cipriani has been fined £2,000 after pleading guilty to common assault and resisting arrest on a pre-season night out in Jersey. This isn't the first time Danny has shown to be a liability on a night out, other incidents include being hit by a double decker bus in Leeds on a pub crawl when he first joined Sale Shark. Despite the fines Cipriani has found himself lucky as both Gloucester and the RFU have not sanctioned him further. Has Danny still got a chance with England selection for this summer?
Other big moves:
- Alex Cuthbert: Cardiff Blues to Exeter Chiefs
- James Haskell: Wasps to Northampton Saints
- Jamie Roberts: Harlequins to Bath
- Dan Biggar: Ospreys to Northampton Saints
Who are you most excited to see in their new jersey's this season?
Injuries
Ellis Genge: After the Leicester Tigers prop faced huge disappointment from the South Africa tour (flying home due to injury sustained in training), this disappointment was made worse when he received the news that he will be out until 2019. Will Leicester miss the props work at the set piece as well as his aggressive work-rate and ball carrying skills around the breakdown?
Jimmy Gopperth: Unfortunately his season has been cut short before it even started. He has done ligament damage to his Knee that puts the Wasps fly half out for 9 months. Having scored a 6th of the team's total points last season, who do you think is going to step up and replace him?
New Teams - Bristol Bears
Bristol Bears have just come up from the Championship, and are stating that they are here to stay. The Head coach Pat Lam, has huge aims for the club, and they are aiming to get some of their players in the England squads come next selection in 2019. One player to watch in their side is the Irish fly half, Ian Madigan (highest point scorers in the championship last season).