After five different winners in as many seasons, Bath are fancied to become the sixth by dethroning Northampton

No one can question the quality of the rebuild carried out by Johann van Graan since his arrival in 2022. The South African has taken Bath from the bottom to agonisingly close to the top, almost achieving a sensational Twickenham victory against Northampton in June despite Beno Obano’s early dismissal. Van Graan said he was “at peace” that the team had done all they could: now can they go one better? Signing the Springbok prop Thomas du Toit has been a resounding success – he top-scored last season with 12 tries in 25 matches – and Finn Russell, the Scotland fly-half, has slotted in perfectly. The former Worcester captain Ted Hill and England’s Sam Underhill power up the back row while Van Graan’s ability to bring the best out of his players appears to be improving. Exciting times lie ahead: opening fixtures against Northampton and Leicester will set the tone.