Guess what? The Premiership returns this Friday (14/08) and here at The Flanker, we are weeping tears of happiness for it’s comeback like Jermaine Jenas does over late goals for Spurs in the Champions League.

It has been a long five months since Bristol walked out convincing 28-15 winners over Harlequins at Ashton Gate on 8 March, so let us get you up to speed with our preview of where things currently stand.

We have all the player moves, fixture lists and story of the season for each club below.

Saracens -12th (-63 points)

It seems like a lifetime ago that the biggest story in English domestic rugby broke. Reigning European and Premiership champions Saracens were found to have breached salary cap rules and were given a points deduction which doomed them to the Championship for 20/21 season. 

The North London outfit now has nothing to play for domestically, with focus now firmly directed at consecutive Champions Cup wins.

Given the upheaval, it has been a successful enforced break for the club as they managed to re-sign the core of their championship winning squad.

Owen Farrell, Mako Vunipola, Maro Itoje and Elliot Daly are all tied down to long-term deals but they have lost the considerable size of Will Skelton and George Kruis from next season.

It will be interesting to see how Sarries finish off the season, will they rest their big players or will they want to send a message on their way down?

Their match-up against playoff-chasing Harlequins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the August 22 might tell us.

Fixtures 

Premiership

August 15 - Bristol Bears (a)

August 22 - Harlequins (h) 

August 26 - Gloucester (h)

August 31 - London Irish (a)

September 5 - Wasps (h)

September 9 - Sale (a)

September 13 - Exeter Chiefs (h)

TBD - Worcester Warriors (a)

October 4 - Bath (h)

Champions Cup

19 September - Leinster (a) 

26/27 September - Semi Final 

17 October - Final

Ins

Aled Davies - Ospreys

Callum Hunter-Hill - Edinburgh

Tim Swinson - Glasgow Warriors

Will Hooley - Bedford Blues

Harry Sloan - Ealing Trailfinders 

Alec Clarey - Jersey Reds

Janco Venter - Jersey Reds

Juan Pablo Socinco - El Salvador (Spain)

Outs

Matt Gallagher - Munster

Titi Lamositele - Montpellier

Ben Earl - Bristol Bears (loan)

Max Malins - Bristol Bears (loan)

Jack Singleton - Gloucester (loan)

Alex Goode - NEC Green Rockets (loan)

Joe Gray - Harlequins

George Kruis - Panasonic Wild Knights

Nick Isiekwe - Northampton Saints (loan)

Ben Spencer - Bath

Alex Lozowski - Montpellier (loan)

Will Skelton - La Rochelle

Richard Wigglesworth - Released at end of 2019/20 season

Brad Barritt - Released at end of 2019/20 season

Juan Figallo - Released

Viliami Hakalo - Retired

Nick Tompkins - Dragons (loan)

Rhys Carre - Cardiff Blues

Leicester Tigers - 11th (20 points)

Although well on the way towards the bottom of a downward spiral for a few years now, this season was perhaps most emblematic of the Tigers’ problems in the last half of the decade.

Just four wins and some heavy losses against London Irish and Sale show how far the mighty have fallen.

Two high-profile departures have further compounded the Tigers worries. Jonny May is on his way back to Gloucester and Manu Tuilagi’s move to Sale display just where the balance of power now lies in the Premiership.

An ugly player wage battle and sackings at board level during the break have not helped matters either.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom for the Tigers faithful.

George Ford, Ben Youngs and Ellis Genge have committed their future to Welford Road, Steve Borthwick is now Head Coach in place of Geordan Murphy (who moves to Director of Rugby) and the acquisition of Nemani Nadolo is sure to catch the eye.

An early trip to the Exeter Chiefs will be an acid test for the Tigers in their first game back.

Fixtures

Premiership

August 15 - Exeter Chiefs (a)

August 22 - Bath (h)

August 26 - London Irish (h)

August 30 - Gloucester (a)

September 5 - Sale (h)

September 9 - Waps (a)

September 13 - Northampton Saints (h)

TBD - Bristol Bears (a)

October 4 - Harlequins (h)

European Challenge Cup

September 20 - Castres (h)

September 25/26/27 - Semi Final

October 16 - Final

Ins

Zack Henry - Nevers

Shalva Mamukashvili - Ensei-STM

Nemani Nadolo - Montpellier

Cyle Brink - Lions

Oliver Chessum - Nottingham

Dan Kelly - Loughborough Students

Cameron Henderson - Glasgow Warriors

Matt Scott - Edinburgh

Harry Potter - Melbourne Rebels

Blake Enever - Brumbies

Matias Moroni - Jaguares

Kiri Murimurivalu - La Rochelle

Guy Porter - Brumbies

Kobus van Wyk - Hurricanes

Luke Wallace - Coventry

Jasper Wiese - Cheetas

Ryan Bower - Worcester Warriors

Outs

Sam Costelow - Scarlets

Jonny May - Gloucester

Joe Batley - Bristol Bears

Ifereimi Boladau - Nottingham

Sam Eveleigh - Released

Andy Forsyth - Coventry

Leo Gilliand - Released

Rory Hughes - Glasgow Warriors

Keston Lines - Released

Tatafu Polota-Nau - Released

Joe Thomas - Released

Adam Thompstone - Released

Jimmy Stevens - Released

Jonah Holmes - Dragons

Will Spencer - Bath

Guy Thompson - Ealing Trailfinders

Owen Hills - Nottingham

Greg Bateman - Released

Kyle Eastmond - Released

Telusa Veainu - Stade Francais

Gaston Cortes - Toronto Arrows

Noel Reid - Agen

Manu Tuilagi - Sale Sharks

EW Viljoen - Lions

Sione Kalamafoni - Scarlets

Worcester Warriors - 10th (22 points)

The West Midlanders have yet again exceeded expectations and avoided relegation for another year.

It is testament to Alan Solomons and his team that they continue to prove people wrong with wins against Sale and Harlequins the most eye-catching results for the Warriors.

It has been a relatively quiet break for the the team with the most noteworthy news being Ted Hill’s appointment to captain at the tender age of just 21, weeks after signing a new four year contract.

He will be the youngest ever player to captain a Worcester team in the Premiership.

The progress made by Michael Fatialofa, who many feared may not walk again after his vertebrae injury in January, was also a highlight and seeing the big Kiwi being discharged from hospital on June 5 was truly heart-warming.

Youth has obviously been a focus for the cash-strapped team as the promotion of a number of academy players, plus the signing of former Bristol and Wasps fly-half Billy Searle, has shown.

Matt Kvesic will also re-join the team he made his name at from Exeter Chiefs in their biggest statement move of the break.

A derby game at home against Gloucester will be yet another chance to show how Worcester can punch above their weight.

Fixtures

Premiership

August 15 - Gloucester (h)

August 21 - Wasps (a)

August 26 - Harlequins (h)

August 30 - Exeter Chiefs (a)

September 4 - Bristol Bears (h)

September 9 - Bath (a)

September 13 - London Irish (a)

TBD - Saracens (h)

October 10 - Sale (a)

Ins

Billy Searle - Wasps

Matt Kvesic - Exeter Chiefs

Joe Batley - Bristol Bears

Outs

Luke Scully - Cardiff Blues

Joe Taufete’e - Lyon

Ryan Mills - Wasps

Dean Hammond - Ealing Trailfinders

Jono Lance - Western Force

Luke Baldwin - Dragons (loan)

Ryan Bower - Leicester Tigers

Callum Morris - Stourbridge

Gloucester - 9th (26 points)

The poor start from the West Country outfit leaves the Cherries well below the heady standards they set themselves this season and it has cost the men who got the club into that position their jobs.

Both Director of Rugby David Humphreys and Head Coach Johan Ackermann have left during the enforced break, with former London Irish second-row George Skivington surprisingly taking the latter’s place after a disputed contract saga.

He does not have very long to turn the fortunes of the club round, who have been bolstered by experienced veterans Matt Garvey and Longovi’i Munipola joining the squad for the rest of the season.

With the club snapping up former star Jonny May, and signing the exciting youngster Louis Rees-Zammit to a long term deal, there certainly is light at the end of the tunnel for Gloucester although a playoff push looks unlikely.

If it does happen, the home tie against local rivals Bristol Bears on August 21 might be the catalyst for that improbable situation.

Fixtures

Premiership

August 15 - Worcester Warriors (a)

August 21 - Bristol Bears (h)

August 26 - Saracens (a)

August 30 - Leicester Tigers (h)

September 5 - London Irish (h)

September 9 - Exeter Chiefs (a)

September 14 - Harlequins (h)

TBD - Bath (a)

October 4 - Northampton Saints (h)

Ins

Jordy Reid - Ealing Trailfinders

Jack Singleton - Saracens (loan)

Jonny May - Leicester Tigers

Matias Alemanno - Jaguares

Cameron Jordan - Leicester Tigers

Matt Garvey - Bath

Longovi’i Munipola - Newcastle Falcons

Outs

Callum Braley - Benetton Treviso

Aaron Hinkley - Exeter Chiefs

Simon Linsell - Ealing Trailfinders

Franco Marais - NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

Tom Marshal l- NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

Owen Williams - NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

Franco Mostert- Honda Heat

Gerbrandt Grobler - Stade Francais

Ruan Dreyer - Lions

Harry Fry - Dragons

Josh Hohneck - Otago

London Irish - 8th (28 points)

Previous campaigns after promotion have usually not ended well for the Exiles.

This season, they have finally got consistent results they are capable of and will be looking up rather than down the table when rugby resumes.

Like all clubs, they have had to deal with the inevitable upheaval as Covid-19 took effect.

Irish will finish their season playing home games at the Stoop after their tenancy with the Madjeski Stadium ended ahead of a new ground share with Brentford FC.

Nine players, including experienced fly-half Stephen Myler, have been released from their contracts which expired on June 30.

Despite the outgoings, Irish have still been able to bring in test-centurion Rob Simmons from a struggling Waratahs outfit, welcome back Tom Homer after his stint with Bath and former Argentina captain Agustin Creevy.

Just seven points behind the playoffs, the visit of 4th-placed Northampton Saints on August 22 will be crucial if they have hopes of joining the Premiership elite.

Fixtures

Premiership

August 15 - Bath (a)

August 22 - Northampton Saints (h)

August 26 - Leicester Tigers (a)

August 31 - Saracens (h)

September 5 - Gloucester (a)

September 9 - Harlequins (h)

September 13 - Worcester (h)

TBD - Exeter Chiefs (a)

October 4 - Bristol Bears (h)

Ins

Tom Homer - Bath

Matt Cornish - Ealing Trailfinders

Charlton Kerr - England Sevens

Rob Simmons - NSW Waratahs

Agustin Creevy - Jaguares

Sebastian de Chaves - Newcastle Falcons (2019/20 season only)

Ross Neal - Seattle Seawolves (2019/20 season only)

Outs

Belgium Tuatagaloa - Rouen

Barney Maddison - Ealing Trailfinders

Will Partington - Hartpury University

Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi - Northampton Saints

Jack Belcher - Released

Bryce Campbell- Released

Pat Cilliers - Released

Sam Collingridge - Released

Saia Fainga’a - Released

Finlay Rossiter - Released

Franco van der Merwe - Released

Alivereti Veitokani - Released

Dave Porecki - NSW Waratahs

Stephen Myler - Ospreys

Scott Steele - Harlequins

Tom Stephenson - Rosslyn Park

Ruan Botha - Kubota Spears

Harlequins - 7th (28 Points)

It has been a frustrating season thus-far for many beleaguered Harlequins fans.

Much like previous seasons, the club puts out stellar performances one week and follows it up with a disappointing loss the next.

Despite still being within shout of a top four spot, departures from the club have made their task just that bit trickier.

Kyle Sinckler will play for Bristol Bears the rest of this season while the departure of Chris Robshaw and retirement of Rob Buchanan feel like a passing of the torch.

Meanwhile, the recent departure of Gabriel Ibitoye to Agen will be stinging but with Nathan Earle back fit and Chris Ashton joining the squad, the back-three options for the West London side are well stocked.

If Quins can stay consistent, the last game of the regular season against Leicester Tigers could be a playoff nail-biter.

Fixtures

Premiership

August 14 - Sale Sharks (h)

August 22 - Saracens (a)

August 26 - Worcester Warriors (a)

August 30 - Northampton Saints (h)

September 5 - Bath (h)

September 9 - London Irish (a)

September 14 - Gloucester (a)

TBD - Wasps (h)

October 4 - Leicester Tigers (a)

Ins

Andre Esterhuizen - Stormers

Wilco Louw - Stormers

Joe Gray - Saracens

Tyrone Green - Lions

Joe Marchant - Blues (returning from loan)

Matas Jurevicius - London Scottish

Jordan Els - Ealing Trailfinders

Scott Steele - London Irish

Craig Trenier - Ealing Trailfinders

Mak Wilson - Southern Knights

Marc Thomas - Doncaster Knights (2019/20 season only)

Outs

Nick Auterac - Northampton Saints

Kyle Sinckler - Bristol Bears

Phil Swainston - Rouen

Francis Saili - Biarritz

Travis Ismaiel - Bulls

Toby Freeman - London Scottish

Semi Kunatani - Castres

Chris Robshaw - San Diego Legion

Vereniki Goneva - Mont-de-Marsan

Harry Barlow - Released

Renaldo Bothma - Released

James Bourton - Released

Luke James - Released

Tom Penny - Released

Lloyd Wheeldon - Released

Gabriel Ibitoye - Agen

Maks van Dyk - Released

Jack Stafford - Released

Harry Barlow - New England Free Jacks

Bath- 6th (30 points)

We now get into the teams with a real shot at making it into the play-offs with a Bath team which, at times, has proved it can hang with the big boys.

The West Country giants had a strong start to the season, beating Exeter Chiefs, Northampton Saints and Sale all before the New Year.

Damaging losses to the Chiefs in the return game and Bristol, however, showed the team is fallible.

A big plus for Stuart Hooper’s men will be the acquisition of Ben Spencer who has linked up with the squad for rest of this season and the 20/21 season at the least.

The club will be also try and give club legend Francois Louw a big send-off before he retires at the end of the season too.

While the loss of Rhys Webb and Freddie Burns will be felt, this is a team which has been able to keep the nucleus of a squad which looked to be taking Bath back to the promised land.

Just how serious their ambitions are will be on shown on the away fixture against Northampton Saints on August 26.

Fixtures

Premiership

August 15 - London Irish (h)

August 22 - Leicester Tigers (a)

August 26 - Northampton Saints (h)

August 31 - Wasps (h)

September 5 - Harlequins (a)

September 9 - Worcester (h)

September 13 - Sale (a)

TBD - Gloucester (h)

October 4 - Saracens (a)

Ins

Juan Schoeman - Sharks

Ben Spencer - Saracens

Will Spencer - Leicester Tigers

Outs

Sam Nixon - Bayonne

Rhys Webb - Ospreys

Rhys Davies - Ospreys

Freddie Burns - Toyota Industries Shuttles

Chris Cook - Bristol Bears

Jackson Willison - Soyaux Angouleme

Aled Brew - Released

Will Britton - Released

Levi Davis - Ealing Trailfinders

Levi Douglas - Released

Lucas Noguera Paz - Released

Jack Davies - Doncaster Knights

Tom Homer - London Irish

Alex Davies - Rosslyn Park

Wasps - 5th (33 points)

Despite having one fewer win than their competitors, Wasps are sitting pretty just two points behind the coveted 4th place spot.

Bonus point victories against Saracens, Gloucester and London Irish put the Coventry outfit right in the hunt although they do face a tough run in.

Off the pitch it has been a quiet break for the club, with the main business being contract extensions to key players such as Joe Launchbury, Jimmy Goperth, Zack Kibirige and Dan Robson.

Fly-half Ryan Mills is the one major addition made from Worcester Warriors.

Although it will be sad to see club favourite Ashley Johnson move on, the relative lack of change during the summer is surely a big positive.

A big game for the playoff hunt could be the away fixture at Bath on August 31 if Wasps are able to hang on to some coattails in the top four.

Fixtures

Premiership

August 16 - Northampton Saints (a)

August 21 - Worcester Warriors (h)

August 25 - Sale Sharks (h)

August 31 - Bath (a)

September 5 - Saracens (a)

September 9 - Leicester (h)

September 13 - Bristol (h)

TBD - Harlequins (a)

October 4 - Exeter Chiefs (h)

Ins

Ryan Mills - Worcester Warriors

Myles Edwards - Oyonnax

Outs

Billy Searle - Worcester Warriors

Charlie Matthews - Kamaishi Seawaves

Nizaam Carr - Bulls

Ashley Johnson - Birmingham Moseley

Northampton Saints - 4th (35 points)

The Saints have come on leaps and bounds since Director of Rugby Chris Boyd joined the club from the Hurricanes in 2018.

Unafraid to give the youth a chance, he has blooded youngsters such as George Furbank, Rory Hutchinson, Alex Moon and Alex Mitchell in recent seasons.

The East Midlanders will have been using the break wisely after only one win in their last six before the league was suspended in March.

Nick “Arms” Auterac and South Africa youth international Shaun Adendorff join to add some ballast to the pack but the best import is undoubtedly Nick Isiekwe on a season long loan from Saracens.

The second rower will push Moon, Ribbans and Lawes for their spots while maintaining his England hopes.

The Saints will hope to get some momentum going as they start with Wasps at home before they have a tough run in with Chiefs, Bristol and Sale all left to play. As the old saying goes, you have to beat the best if you want to be the best.

Fixtures 

Premiership

August 16 - Wasps (h)

August 22 - London Irish (a) 

August 26 - Bath (h)

August 30 - Harlequins (a)

September 4 - Exeter Chiefs (h)

September 8 - Bristol Bears (a)

September 13 - Leicester Tigers (a)

TBD - Sale (h)

October 4 - Gloucester (a)

Champions Cup

September 20 - Exeter Chiefs (a) 

September 26/27 - Semi Final 

October 17 - Final

Ins

Nick Auterac - Harlequins

Tom James - Doncaster Knights

Nick Isiekwe - Saracens (loan)

Shaun Adendorff - Aurillac

Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi - London Irish

Outs

Cobus Reinach - Montpellier

Mitch Eadie - Bristol Bears

Ben Franks -Retired

Will Davis - Ealing Trailfinders

James Mitchell - Doncaster Knights

Gordon Reid - Released

Toby Trinder - Released

Michael van Vuuren - Ealing Trailfinders

Andy Symons - Vannes

Fraser Strachan - Ealing Trailfinders

Devante Onojaife - Released

Ben Glynn - Ospreys (loan ended)

Bristol Bears - 3rd (38 points)

After showing what they were capable of in the 2018/19 season, Bristol Bears have come on leaps and bounds in the curtailed league this year.

They have now added a bit more steel to their world-class attacking flair, with the club not just aiming for a top four place but wanting to win the whole damn thing.

With names like Kyle Sinckler, Semi Radrada, Max Mallins, Ben Earl and impressive league convert Ratu Naulago all being added for the rest of this season, they have good reason to retain high expectations.

A number of players, including Ian Madigan, have left but the quality in the team is extremely impressive.

The game against Sale on August 29 could be a warm up for the playoffs a few weeks after.

Fixtures

Premiership

August 15 - Saracens (h)

August 21 - Gloucester (a)

August 25 - Exeter Chiefs (h)

August 29 - Sale (a)

September 4 - Worcester Warriors (a)

September 8 - Northampton Saints (h)

September 13 - Wasps (a)

TBD - Leicester Tigers (h)

October 4 - London Irish (a)

European Challenge Cup

September 18 - Dragons (h)

September 25/26/27 September - Semi-Final

October 16 - Final

Ins

Semi Radrada - Bordeaux Begles

Kyle Sinckler - Harlequins

Mitch Eadie - Northampton Saints

Ben Earl - Saracens (loan)

Max Malins - Saracens (loan)

Chris Cook - Bath

Ratu Naulago - Hull FC

Bryan Bryne - Leinster

Tom Kessell - Coventry

Outs

Matt Protheroe - Ospreys

Nicky Thomas - Ospreys

Ian Madigan - Ulster

Nic Stirzaker - Montauban

Joe Batley - Worcester Warriors

Tom Lindsay - Retired

Adrian Choat - Released

Ryan Edwards - Released

James Lay - Released

Jordan Lay - Released

Luke Daniels - Ealing Trailfinders

Jersey Reds - Ollie Dawe

Lewis Thiede - Ealing Trailfinders

Sam Graham - Doncaster Knights

Shaun Malton - Ealing Trailfinders

Luke Hamilton - Oyonnax

Jordan Crane - Retired

Aly Muldowney - Retired

Sale Sharks - 2nd (40 points)

Another team who are looking to be the big kahuna’s are Sale Sharks, a team which hasn’t reached the knockout rounds since they won it in 2006.

They have made the biggest splash during the break with the acquisition of Manu Tuillagi, a signing which gives a huge boost to the Manchester outfit going into the run-in.

Losing Mark Wilson to Newcastle after his season-long loan will be a blow but this is a side with real quality.

They have the world’s best number 9 in Faf de Klerk, a stellar young back row in the Curry brothers and sizeable meat alongside Tuilagi in the form of Rohan Janse Van Rensberg.

Probably the team to knock the Chiefs off their expected championship, the game against the Devon side on August 21 could be a dress rehearsal for the final at Twickenham.

Fixtures

August 14 - Harlequins (a)

August 21 - Exeter Chiefs (h)

August 25 - Wasps (a)

August 29 - Bristol Bears (h)

September 5 - Leicester Tigers (a)

September 9 - Saracens (h)

September 13 - Bath (h)

TBD - Northampton Saints (a)

October 4 - Worcester Warriors (h)

Ins

Sam Hill - Exeter Chiefs

Cobus Wiese - Stormers

Manu Tuilagi - Leicester Tigers

Outs

Rob Webber - Retired

James Williams - Hartpury University

Ciaran Booth - Connacht

Joe Jones - Doncaster Knights

Rouban Burch - Released

Nic Dolly - Released

Sam Dugdale - Released

Bryn Evans - Released

Teddy Leatherbarrow - Released

Matt Sturgess - Fylde

Mark Wilson - Newcastle Falcons (Loan ended)

Exeter Chiefs - 1st (45 points)

Are the Chiefs the champions elect? They looked on an unstoppable march to the title before the break with a 57-7 battering over fellow title hopefuls Northampton Saints back in February laying down the gauntlet.

Much of the coronavirus hiatus has been spent doing some soul searching off the field as the club underwent a re-brand due to backlash over their Native American moniker, branding and mascot.

Whatever name, kit or customs they adopt, the team on the field looks near unbeatable at the moment with their ranks bolstered even further to cope with the rejigged schedule.

Scottish giant Jonny Gray comes down to join compatriot Stuart Hogg at the club while Facundo Cordero, the brother of Santiago, make his way over from Argentina.

Sam Hidalgo-Clyne also joins to provide cover at scrumhalf while talented winger Corey Baldwin comes in from the Scarlets.

It’s a tricky start back to life in the Premiership for the Chiefs with away trips to Sale and Bristol in the first three weeks, but they will be confident of topping the pile come October.

Still fighting on all fronts with a Champions Cup quarter-final against the Saints to navigate, Exeter have all the tools in place to make it a season to remember.

Fixtures 

Premiership

August 15- Leicester Tigers (h)

August 21 - Sale Sharks (a) 

August 25 - Bristol Bears (a)

August 30 - Worcester Warriors (h)

September 4 - Northampton Saints (a)

September 9 - Gloucester (h)

September 13 - Saracens (a)

TBD - London Irish (h)

October 4 - Wasps (a)

Champions Cup

September 20 - Northampton Saints (h) 

September 26/27 - Semi Final 

October 17 - Final

Ins

Jonny Gray - Glasgow Warriors

Sam Hidalgo-Clyne - Lyon

Aaron Hinkley - Gloucester

Corey Baldwin - Scarlets

Josh Hodge - Newcastle Falcons

Jack Walsh - Manly Marlins

Facundo Cordero - Los Ceibos

Outs

Nic White - Brumbies

Enrique Pieretto - Glasgow Warriors

Sam Hill - Sale Sharks

Matt Kvesic - Worcester Warriors

Josh Caulfield - Cornish Pirates

Max Bodily - Ealing Trailfinders

Greg Holmes - Western Force

James McRae - Cornish Pirates

Gareth Steenson - Retiring at end of 2019/20 season

Phil Dollman - Retiring at end of 2019/20 season