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
9. Thomas Gordon
Crossed the border to join Newcastle Falcons following his release from Glasgow Warriors at the end of the season. The 27-year-old played his part in their URC triumph, featuring in nine league games over the campaign. He now has a fresh start under Steve Diamond at Newcastle where he joins a burgeoning Scottish contingent which also includes Murray McCallum, Kiran McDonald, Cammy Hutchinson and Ollie Leatherbarrow. Last season was grim for the winless Falcons and Diamond has promised a major shake-up, starting with Friday’s game against Bristol in which Gordon starts at seven. | SNS Group
10. Will Hurd
The Leicester Tigers prop was named in Scotland’s Six Nations squad but was forced to withdraw with a foot injury before the championship started. He finally made his Test debut off the bench against Canada in the summer and enjoyed his first start in the win over Chile on the same tour. The 25-year-old tighthead, who qualifies for Scotland through his grandmother from Larbert, played 18 times for Leicester last season | Getty Images
11. Cameron Henderson
Made his Scotland debut in summer 2023 against Italy and was unlucky not to make the final cut for the World Cup squad. A good start to the season with Leicester was ended when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the Champions Cup win over the Stormers in December. It was the second time in his career he had suffered an ACL injury but it was the other knee this time. Currently working his way back to fitness. | Getty Images
12. Chris Harris
The 46-times capped centre has dropped out of the Scotland picture but remains a mainstay for Gloucester. While their league form was disappointing last season, they impressed in Europe, beating Edinburgh en route to reaching the Challenge Cup final where they lost to the Sharks at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Harris, 33, played 21 times for Gloucester across the campaign. | Getty Images