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
13. Charlie Chapman
Sparky Gloucester scrum-half played in last Friday’s pre-season match against Edinburgh at Hive Stadium. Now 25, he is a former Scotland Under-20 international, winning nine caps, but also qualifies for England, the country of his birth. | Getty Images
14. Finn Russell
Made a dazzling impression in his first season in England, galvanising a previously moribund Bath with his distinct brand of fly-half artistry. Stumbled at the final hurdle when they lost the Premiership showdown with Northampton at Twickenham but have an early chance of revenge in Friday’s season opener at the Rec. At 32, Russell is blending creativity with maturity and will have one eye on the Lions tour this season. | Getty Images
15. Josh Bayliss
Returned to the Scotland fold in the summer after missing out on the Rugby World Cup with a thigh injury and the Six Nations because of concussion. The Bath back-rower played in the tour wins over Canada and Chile, scoring a try in each. The recall was a reward for a solid second half of the season with Bath as they reached the Premiership final. | Getty Images
16. Cam Redpath
Not involved in Friday’s opener against Northampton as he continues his recovery from an operation he had in the summer on a long-standing shoulder issue. The centre has had more than his fair share of injuries over the year but he featured in 30 games last season, including all five Six Nations games for Scotland, and started both the Premiership semi and final for Bath. Redpath, 24, combined well with Russell in the 10-12 axis during the latter’s first season at the club. | Getty Images