Anyone can win it...

That’s right, the Guinness Premiership will make its long awaited return this evening fresh from the excitement of last years exciting and climactic tournament and hot on the heels of an amazing lions tour. And what better place to get involved with the world most exciting league then The Rugby Forum?

It all kicks off this evening as Jason Robinsons’ new-look Sale Sharks take on reigning champions Leicester Tigers at Edgeley Park. Will Leicester continue as they left off last season, or will Sale, with new signing and World Cup winner Ben Cohen among their ranks upset the form book and continue the Premierships reputation of “anyone can win”?

Saturday sees the return of the Twickenham Double Header, starting with the ambitious Saracens vs championship joint-favourites London Irish. The Fez Heads will want to take momentum from a result at Twickenham before moving onto their much touted Wembley fixtures next week, whilst O’Irish are carrying momentum since their pre-season away win over European Champions Leinster and will be looking to lay down a marker for the coming season.

Part 2 of the double header see former champions Wasps take on troubled Harlequins. Both teams suffering misfortunes over the last few months, Wasps missing out on HEC rugby while Quins nearly being banned from HEC rugby, but will want to begin rebuilding themselves up ASAP... And there’s no better way to start then a win at HQ! With both teams featuring exciting young squads, this has all the ingredients to be a ding-dong of a battle!

Sunday sees the return of Guinness Premiership rugby to Sky TV as Northampton Saints take on Worcester Warriors at Franklins Gardens. The Saints finished strongly last season, qualifying for the Heineken Cup and picking up some Silverware (in the form of the European Challenge Cup) along the way. Jim Mallender has recruited well over the summer, so should they improve their away form, Saints could well be dark horses for the title. They won’t have an easy start however with Worcester coming to visit. Having only ever lost once at Franklins Gardens, Mike Ruddocks men know their way around the Franklins Gardens pitch just as well as anyone. Compiled with quality from Rico Gear and Chris Latham in the squad, this should be an intriguing battle.

Premiership returnees Leeds play host to Newcastle Falcons at Headingly on Sunday and with Neil Back at the helm won’t be anybody’s pushover. Newcastle currently going through an intense period of change will have also earmarked this fixture as a target, wanting to cement together their squad which has gone through wholesale changes over the summer, with new captain Carl Heyman looking to lead by example. Both teams will see this as a good start to work towards premiership survival, making a crucial game in round 1 a distinct possibility!

The 2^nd of Sundays televised games sees the West Country derby where Gloucester host Bath at Kingsholm. Bath, rocked by the various scandals over the summer, will be looking to the returning prodigal son Ollie Barkley to guide them in what will be a brutal encounter against their old enemies. The Cherries, blessed with the selection headache of EITHER Carlos Spencer or Nicky Robinson, have made mass changes themselves since the off-season, recruiting Premiership stalwart Tom Voyce to compliment JSD and co. This should be a great contest!

 So there it is, the best players competing in the worlds closest best competition. And you can get all of the latest news as rumours here on The Rugby Forum!

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