A new campaign kicks off in England on Friday evening and all eyes will be on the Rec where Bath host Northampton Saints in a repeat of last season’s Gallagher Premiership final.
Northampton won the day at Twickenham but the Bath revival is gathering pace and many believe that they will go one better this season and end their 28-year title drought. Finn Russell has transformed the West Country club and credit must go to head of rugby Johann van Graan for giving the Scotland stand-off the freedom to reinvent the Bath style.
Saturday’s highlights include Gloucester v Saracens where the visitors are preparing themselves for the post-Owen Farrell era. Fergus Burke, understudy to All Blacks fly-half Richie Mo’unga at the Canterbury Crusaders, is given the task of replacing Farrell who has moved to Racing 92. Burke has Scottish grandparentage and in part of a strong tartan contingent worth keeping tabs on this season
5. Elliot Millar Mills
The Northampton Saints tighthead prop was called into Scotland’s Six Nations squad following an injury to Will Hurd and made his debut as a replacement against Wales as Gregor Townsend’s side edged a tense opening game. At 32 he’s a bit of a late developer but enjoyed a memorable 2023-24 season. As well as his international breakthrough, he played for Northampton in their Premiership final win over Bath. | Getty Images
6. Callum Hunter-Hill
Poised to make his Northampton Saints debut on Friday night against Bath following his summer move from Saracens. The experienced second-row forward has been close to a Scotland call but remains uncapped. Hunter-Hill, 27, was injured for parts of last season but was very much in Gregor Townsend’s thoughts and now has the chance of a fresh start with the English champions. | Getty Images
7. Rory Hutchinson
Reliable club performer for Northampton Saints but a somewhat peripheral figure on the Scotland scene since his debut in the World Cup warm-up match against France in 2019. Was recalled to the squad for the 2024 Six Nations but didn’t play. Was excellent for title-winning Saints in the first half of last season. | Getty Images
8. Robbie Smith
Made his Scotland breakthrough on the summer tour when he came off the bench against Canada and USA to win his first caps. The 25-year-old Northampton Saints hooker came through the ranks at Newton Stewart and Ayr and was part of the Glasgow Warriors academy before joining Bedford Blues in England’s second tier. He then spent time at Newcastle prior to his Northampton move in 2022. Made six appearances in their 2023-24 Premiership-winning campaign, and is on the bench against Bath on Friday. | Getty Images