"In Johan van Graan Bath have a relentlessly process-driven coach, not someone who would allow an ounce of complacency to creep in, and they have Ollie Lawrence and Jaco Coetzee back for the start of the season after long-term injuries. With the blockbuster additions of Henry Arundell and Santiago Carreras, Bath have a backline to die for and this could be the season Max Ojomoh announces himself on the international stage."
"The Bears have made the headline signing of the summer and Louis Rees-Zammit looks tailor-made for the most devastating attack in the league. The thought of Rees-Zammit and Gabriel Ibitoye on opposite wings will give opponents nightmares and in midfield, pairing Tom Jordan alongside Benhard Janse van Rensburg could be equally explosive. Ellis Genge may have lost his British & Irish Lions Test place as the series wore on but he comes out of the tour in immense credit. George Kloska, James Dun and Joe Batley are three English forwards who cannot be too far away from Steve Borthwick's thinking and Pat Lam, the director of rugby, has high hopes for the arriving Georgian back-row Luka Ivanishvili. As ever, the key with Bristol is knitting together such attacking potency with effective game management. In other words, finding a template that might have enabled them to capitalise on first-half dominance in their semi-final defeat by Bath last season."
Six different title winners have emerged in the last six seasons, but the defending champions enter as favourites. Johan van Graan enforces a relentless, process-driven approach and Bath regain Ollie Lawrence and Jaco Coetzee from long-term injury. Henry Arundell and Santiago Carreras join to boost a powerful backline and Max Ojomoh may emerge internationally. Lee Blackett's departure and Finn Russell's heavy minutes present risks. Bristol signed Louis Rees-Zammit to amplify a potent attack alongside Gabriel Ibitoye, Tom Jordan and Benhard Janse van Rensburg. Ellis Genge, promising forwards and new back-row Luka Ivanishvili add depth. Effective game management remains essential for Bristol.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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