As always, there have been numerous signings this off season in the Aviva Rugby Premiership as clubs rebuild and search for their own Premiership title. Coming up with the three most important signings is a tough task as every player has an impact in their clubs, but I feel the following players will have the greatest impact on both their clubs and the league as a whole.
Biggest Aviva Premiership Signings
Sam Burgess: Centre, Bath Rugby (from South Sydney Rabbitohs)
At just 25, Burgess is already a poster-boy for Rugby League and many will speculate on how he will adapt to the change of codes. Nevertheless, his physical presence on the pitch will surely be felt. Burgess, combining strength and the speed needed for Rugby League, is used to being a battering ram on the field, and at 119 kilos he is 10 kilos heavier than Northampton’s George North: perhaps the most similar player in physical terms.
Burgess currently plays prop/second row for the South Sydney Rabbitohs but upon his entry to the Premiership in October it is difficult to see him playing anywhere except the backs, most probable being the outside centre. His size and speed could make him an exceptionally dangerous player in this position, able to break the gain-line time after time and combined with his skilled offload out of the tackle, which is such a crucial part of League, Bath Rugby should see their offensive capabilities considerably increased. Burgess will surely be aiming to impress this coming season and attempt to gain a place in the England Squad for the coming Rugby World Cup (RWC). This will be no easy task and there are doubts to how well Burgess will handle the code change, but this season could see the first makings of a potential cross-code superstar.
Piri Weepu: Scrum Half, London Welsh (from Auckland Blues)
In signing Piri Weepu, the newly promoted London Welsh pulled off one of the most surprising and unforeseen signings in the Premiership for years. Despite having a stroke in March of this year, Weepu, now fully recovered, is a world class scrum-half. Having gained 71 caps for the All-Blacks, Weepu played a crucial role in their victorious 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign.
This off-season was vital for London Welsh to rebuild and structure their team to survive in the Premiership and avoid relegation. The Half-Backs are crucial positions for any team and in Weepu London Welsh may have found the perfect asset. His experience and physicality will be welcomed just as much as his control of the game as will his kicking ability if needed, both out of hand and off the tee: an ability shown on the biggest stage in the 2011 RWC Semi Finals. It is highly doubtful London Welsh will be seeking any trophies this year but rather looking to avoid relegation and follow in the Exeter Chiefs footsteps of solidifying their position in the Premiership. If they are to be successful, it must surely in part be down to the genius of the London Welsh management in bringing in Weepu and fitting him into their vision of rugby, as well as Weepu’s personal talent itself.
Marland Yarde: Wing, Harlequins (from London Irish)
The addition of Marland Yarde to the Harlequins roster creates the conditions for the club to sport a potential world class back three of Yarde, Sam Smith and Mike Brown. Brown’s past year for both club and country speak of his calibre. Ugo Monye had a disappointing year, perhaps over shadowed by youngster Sam Smith who signed with Worcester for next year. Nevertheless, Monye still has great experience and is not lacking in speed or power and will surely work to reconnect with his flair.
The addition of the speedster Yarde into the frame, gives Harlequins one of the fastest players in the league. Though other players may be faster over the whole 100metres, Yarde is one of the fastest over 60metres. He has a prolific strike rate, finishing joint 4th in tries scored last season (8), and has scored 4 tries in 5 appearances for England the latest being in the 2nd and 3rd Tests against the All-Blacks in June. If Monye can return to form, given how Yarde and Brown has played recently, Harlequins will certainly have a powerful back three, granting the team even greater ability to stretch their opponents in defence as they seek the 2014/15 Premiership Trophy.
Honorable Mention
Freddy Burns: Fly-half, Leicester, (from Gloucester)
With the loss of Toby Flood to Toulouse it was vital that the Tigers find a replacement fly-half of equal calibre and in Burns they may have just done that. He played well in the Summer tests against New Zealand and Leicester will be hoping he carries that form into next season and looking for him to efficiently link up with Leicester stars Manu Tuilagi and Vereniki Goneva.
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