This weekend sees rugby make its return for the new season; the pre-season friendlies are here. They may not be the most appetising fixtures for some fans, but it is the yearly sign that the season is almost upon us. So with the new campaign rapidly approaching, what can we expect from the new-look Guinness Pro12? I am running the rule over the twelve competing teams and see how they will fair, and offering up a Pro12 preview for this season.
Benetton Treviso have been busy in the off-season as they have swapped almost an entire squad. During this upheaval they have failed to hold on to some of their best talent. Players that shine at international level – Tobias Botes, Alberto De Marchi, Lorenzo Cittadini and young centre Leonardo Ghiraldini have all left. The amount of players that they have brought in can mean they could be disjointed this year.
Prediction: 12th
Zebre propped up the rest of the table last year, just a point behind fellow Italians Treviso. However, their performances improved dramatically when the European qualification rules changed and with those rules in place from the start of the season I expect them to get the Italian spot in Europe ahead of Treviso.
Prediction: 11th
Edinburgh had a season to forget last year, ending the season away from Murrayfield due to the poor condition of the pitch as well as having very low attendances. Over the summer this hasn’t improved and they have lost Scottish internationals Greig Laidlaw and Nick De Luca. While Glasgow flourished last year, Edinburgh hit crisis mode and unless something drastic happens I expect them to slide further down the table this year.
Prediction: 10th
Connacht have provided the coup of the summer by signing All Black centurion Mils Muliaina. As good a signing as this is it will not add many more points to the Irish province’s tally. The experience and skills will help but they need more quality across the board if they are ever going to move from the bottom half of the table. I expect Connacht to be more competitive and see them just beating Edinburgh in the overall standings.
Prediction: 9th
The Cardiff Blues have changed their coach, and Mark Hammett leads them into the new season. The ex-Hurricanes boss has big ambitions for the club over the next few years. However, I don’t see his plans being successful immediately, and they will improve over the next few years as players adapt to Hammett’s style. The squad is still thin and injuries will affect the chances of the Blues. Add to this that they haven’t yet got Sam Warburton due to the ongoing WRU-Regions row.
Prediction: 8th
The Newport-Gwent Dragons are my tip for the season. They have recruited well over the summer bringing in experienced internationals in Andy Powell and Lee Byrne. They have also brought Aled Brew back home, a devastating try scorer in his first term with the Dragons. More importantly however, they have added two experienced props. Boris Stankovich and Brok Harris will shore up a scrum which was very shaky last term.
Prediction: 7th
Glasgow Warriors went all the way to the final last year and put in some brilliant performances along the way. Although they were outstanding I just cannot see them making the top four again this year. Almost every other team has strengthened but Glasgow seem to have stood still, and if anything weakened their squad by losing Moray Low, Ruaridh Jackson and Chris Cusiter.
Prediction: 6th
The Ospreys were poor last year by their own high standards and they will want to put it right this season. However, they will have to do so without three British and Irish Lions; Ryan Jones, Richard Hibbard and Ian Evans have all moved on. The future of Adam Jones is uncertain as it depends on the regional dispute. The pack has been decimated and the Ospreys will need their young players to step up to the challenge if they are going to do anything in the Pro12 this year.
Prediction: 5th
The Scarlets have quietly put together a very good balanced squad over the last few years. They are challenging the Ospreys for the title of ‘strongest region’ in Wales. This could be the year they take that mantle. Although they have lost Jon Davies from the backs, they have replaced him with the experienced Regan King. They also have a new coach as Simon Easterby has been taken by the Irish national squad. So much will depend on how quickly the new man Wayne Pivac gets his ideas across.
Prediction: 4th
Ulster have kept hold of their star names over the summer and changed their coach. Mark Anscombe, father of new Blues signing Gareth Anscombe has gone and they now have Les Kiss in charge. Kiss has a good reputation and has been around the Irish squad since 2009. Kiss should have no problems in getting Ulster going this year. One notable signing is Ian Humphreys from London Irish; he will provide a good replacement for Paddy Jackson in the international break.
Prediction: 3rd
Munster need to win something soon. They are a great team but are consistently the nearly men of Northern hemisphere rugby. They will make the top four; like Leinster it is the strength in depth that will get them there. However, they seem to lack the cutting edge that Leinster have to put teams to the sword. They will need this if they are to finally claim silverware.
Prediction: Runners-Up
It is always difficult to look past anyone other than Leinster for the overall Pro12 title. They made it look easy last year as they rested the star names in the Pro12 so that they could be fresh for the Heineken Cup. The strength in depth sets them apart from the chasing pack. However, they will have to cope without Brian O’Driscoll, it’ll be interesting to see where they go at outside-centre now that the great man has retired.
Prediction: Champions
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