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The Aviva Premiership is back in full swing this weekend for the start of a new season that looks set to build on the spectacular year that was in 2016-17. New stars set to shine in the Premiership this year include the likes of James O’Connor, Juan de Jongh, Napolioni Nalaga, and of course DTH van der Merwe. Even the lesser lights – Worcester, Sale, and returnees London Irish – have upgraded in the off-season and the level of competition has never been higher.
Friday sees two matches kick off simultaneously to get the new season underway. Gloucester host Exeter at Kingsholm while Newcastle welcome Worcester to Kingston Park. With Mariano Galarza left out of the match day squad for Gloucester there will be no Americas players in the first, but three are set to take part in the north. Belisario Agulla starts on the wing for Falcons with Juan Pablo Socino surprisingly left on the bench. Warriors have named Joe Taufete’e as reserve hooker with new England squad member Jack Singleton given the starting role.
Three games take place on Saturday, including the big double-header at Twickenham. Saracens get things started against Northampton. A trio of Americas players are on the Saracens bench. Juan Figallo will be a replacement at tighthead prop and in perhaps a sign of the changing of the guard, both Marcelo Bosch and Chris Wyles are tabbed as reserves. Titi Lamositele remains sidelined and is expected to be out for some time yet with a neck injury.
London Irish face off against Harlequins in the second match with Ciaran Hearn in the run-on side in his preferred outside centre spot. Also on Saturday is a tough match for the Sale Sharks as AJ MacGinty will play flyhalf against Wasps at the Ricoh Arena.
Sunday features what would be the game of the weekend as Leicester Tigers host Bath at Welford Road in what is a star-studded affair. George Ford will face his former club with Matt To’omua and Manu Tuilagi forming a world-class midfield, while Bath have named Lions trio Taulupe Faletau, Jonathan Joseph, and Anthony Watson. Sadly there will be no Americas representation in the match with Chris Baumann still getting settled into his new home at Leicester.
