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Gallagher Premiership 2018-19: Club by club guide to this season’s rugby

Ahead of the first game at Ashton Gate, SunSport rugby correspondent Jonny Fordham has picked his ones to watch and given his predictions for 2018/19

THE NEW Premiership Rugby season kicks-off in Bristol on Friday night.

And ahead of the first game at Ashton Gate, SunSport rugby correspondent Jonny Fordham has picked his ones to watch and given his predictions for 2018-19.

The Twelve Premiership clubs are ready to go
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The Twelve Premiership clubs are ready to go

BATH

Last season: 6th

Stadium: The Rec (14,500)

Boss: Todd Blackadder

Star man: Anthony Watson

Biggest signing: Jamie Roberts (Harlequins)

Wales centre Jamie Roberts left Harlequins to join Bath
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Wales centre Jamie Roberts left Harlequins to join BathCredit: Getty Images

Biggest loss: Matt Banahan (Gloucester)

One to watch: Zach Mercer

Fordham's prediction: 9th

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BRISTOL BEARS

Last season: Championship winners

Stadium: Ashton Gate (27,000)

Boss: Pat Lam

Star man: Steven Luatua

Biggest signing: Charles Piutau (Ulster)

Charles Piutau is the million pound man at Bristol Bears
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Charles Piutau is the million pound man at Bristol BearsCredit: Getty Images

Biggest loss: Olly Robinson (Cardiff Blues)

One to watch: Harry Randall

Fordham's prediction: 11th

EXETER CHIEFS

Last season: Runners-up

Stadium: Sandy Park (12,800)

Boss: Rob Baxter

Star man: Jack Nowell

Lions and England winger Jack Nowell should be back for Exeter Chiefs at the end of the month after an injury lay-off
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Lions and England winger Jack Nowell should be back for Exeter Chiefs at the end of the month after an injury lay-offCredit: Press Association

Biggest signing: Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues)

Biggest loss: Thomas Waldrom (Wellington Lions)

One to watch: Jack Maunder

Fordham's prediction: 2nd

GLOUCESTER RUGBY

Last season: 7th

Stadium: Kingsholm (16,155)

Boss: Johan Ackermann

Star man: Danny Cipriani

Cipriani put his trials and tribulations behind him as he took the field for Gloucester in a pre-season against the Dragons last week
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Cipriani put his trials and tribulations behind him as he took the field for Gloucester in a pre-season against the Dragons last weekCredit: PA:Press Association

Biggest signing: Danny Cipriani (Wasps)

Biggest loss: Ross Moriarty (Dragons)

One to watch: Ben Vellacott

Fordham's prediction: 3rd

HARLEQUINS

Last season: 10th

Stadium: The Stoop (14,800)

Boss: Paul Gustard

Paul Gustard is the new man at Quins after quitting England
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Paul Gustard is the new man at Quins after quitting England

Star man: James Horwill

Biggest signing: Nathan Earle (Saracens)

Biggest loss: Jamie Roberts (Bath Rugby)

One to watch: Gabriel Ibitoye

Fordham's prediction: 10th

LEICESTER TIGERS

Last season: 5th

Stadium: Welford Road (25,849)

Boss: Matt O'Connor

Star man: Jonny May

Biggest signing: Kyle Eastmond (Wasps)

Biggest loss: Luke Hamilton (Edinburgh)

One to watch: Jordan Olowofela

Fordham's prediction: 8th

NEWCASTLE FALCONS

Last season: 4th

Stadium: Kingston Park (10,200)

Boss: Dean Richards

Dean Richards will have a tough job to repeat last seasons heroics in the Toon
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Dean Richards will have a tough job to repeat last seasons heroics in the ToonCredit: Getty Images

Star man: Vereniki Goneva

Biggest signing: Logovi'i Mulipola (Leicester Tigers)

Biggest loss: Nili Latu (Hino Red Dolphins)

One to watch: George McGuigan

Fordham's prediction: 7th

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

Last season: 9th

Stadium: Franklin's Gardens (15,249)

Boss: Chris Boyd

Star man: Courtney Lawes

Biggest signing: Dan Biggar (Ospreys)

Wales fly-half Dan Biggar has joined Saints
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Wales fly-half Dan Biggar has joined SaintsCredit: AFP or licensors

Biggest loss: Rob Horne (retired)

One to watch: James Grayson

Fordham's prediction: 6th

SALE SHARKS

Last season: 8th

Stadium: AJ Bell Stadium (12,000)

Boss: Steve Diamond

Star man: Faf de Klerk

Biggest signing: Chris Ashton (Toulon)

Ashton's move to French side Toulon looked to have ended his England career once and for all, but he then moved to Sale Sharks this summer and is back in the frame
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Ashton's move to French side Toulon looked to have ended his England career once and for all, but he then moved to Sale Sharks this summer and is back in the frameCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Biggest loss: Mike Haley (Munster)

One to watch: Cameron Redpath

Fordham's prediction: 5th

SARACENS

Last season: Champions

Stadium: Allianz Park (15,000)

Boss: Mark McCall

Star man: Owen Farrell

Owen Farrell lead England in South Africa this summer after lifting the Premiership with Saracens
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Owen Farrell lead England in South Africa this summer after lifting the Premiership with SaracensCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Biggest signing: David Strettle (Clermont)

Biggest loss: Schalk Brits (retired)

One to watch: Max Mallins

Fordham's prediction: Champions

WASPS

Last season: 3rd

Stadium: Ricoh Arena (32,609)

Boss: Dai Young

Star man: Elliot Daly

Biggest signing: Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders)

All Blacks No10 Lima Sopoaga will take over from Danny Cipriani at Wasps
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All Blacks No10 Lima Sopoaga will take over from Danny Cipriani at WaspsCredit: Reuters

Biggest loss: Danny Cipriani (Gloucester Rugby)

One to watch: Billy Searle

Fordham's prediction: 4th

WORCESTER WARRIORS

Last season: 11th

Stadium: Sixways (11,499)

Boss: Alan Solomons

Star man: Ben Te'o

Worcester Warriors star man Ben Te'o
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Worcester Warriors star man Ben Te'oCredit: Getty Images

Biggest signing: Francois Venter (Cheetahs)

Biggest loss: David Denton (Leicester Tigers)

One to watch: Jack Singleton

Fordham's prediction: Relegated

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