Premiership - here we go again

Somewhat unbelievably, a mere 27 days after the conclusion of the 2019-20 season, the new 2020-21 Premiership season gets underway this evening as Harlequins take on Exeter and Sale face Northampton.

Not only does this feel way too soon, the season also kicks off in the midst of an international rugby tournament, with the consequence that a significant number of “box office” players will not be available for their clubs for a number of weeks yet. 

The other significant factor, of course, is that for all the clubs the term “box office” is somewhat redundant given the continued ban on supporters attending stadia – and with no end in sight this season it looks as if this will be a serious test for each club’s financial viability.

As to the eventual outcome, in the enforced absence of Saracens it is tough to see past Exeter as Champions, although the usual suspects – Wasps, Bristol and, probably, Sale will attempt to have something to say about that – Bath, too, if they can be more consistent.

What is certain is that – from a player welfare perspective – this season is likely to be brutal and relentless. Apart from in relation to those players who have elected to stay at Saracens, of course.

Total Flanker – the older I get, the better I was