With the 2026/27 Prem Rugby season just days away, fans and pundits alike will be looking ahead to the new season.
As just a 10-team league, the Gallagher Prem throws up significant surprises every season, highlighted by the 2025/26 final being contested by two sides who finished eighth and ninth the season prior.
With that in mind, let's take a look at one bold prediction for each Prem club ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Bath Rugby
Bold Prediction: Finn Russell to be man of the match in the final as Bath are defeated.
The first half of this prediction may not be that outlandish, but winning man of the match as a losing player is a feat rarely achieved.
If Bath are to have any success this season, Finn Russell is likely to be at the heart of it and - though they are not indestructible - Johan van Graan's side will surely be there or thereabouts for the final this campaign.
Should the Blue, Black and Whites make it to the showpiece - only to ultimately fall short - their mercurial Scotsman will almost certainly go down swinging.
Bristol Bears
Bold Prediction: Bristol Bears will finish more than 20 points outside of the top four.
Despite being one of the Prem's best attacking outfits, Bristol Bears are at somewhat of a crossroads.
Pat Lam's side finished sixth place last campaign - nine points outside the play-offs - with injuries largely derailing their season.
However, there's a sense that teams have found them out over the last few seasons, with their strengths in attack unable to cover for their shortcomings up front and in defence.
Exeter Chiefs
Bold Prediction: Exeter Chiefs will finish second in the table but miss out on a place in the final.
Riding the crest of a wave of momentum from the back-end of last season, Exeter Chiefs will be competing at the top of the Prem again this season.
Despite this, the Chiefs will be without their superstar centre Len Ikitau for the upcoming campaign, leaving them short of a difference maker.
That hole in their team is what could cost them a place in the finals, even if their form throughout the season is that of title winners.
Gloucester Rugby
Bold Prediction: Jac Morgan will be the player of the season as Gloucester sneak into the play-offs.
This one may need some explaining.
Gloucester have had a torrid few seasons under George Skivington, just about holding on to European Rugby Champions Cup qualification last campaign.
However the ship began to steady towards the end of the season and - with the addition of the talismanic Wales captain - Gloucester could be a force to be reckoned with once more.
Morgan's leadership from the front will be a strong asset for the Cherry and Whites this season, as they look to reclimb the Prem table.
Harlequins
Bold Prediction: Harlequins will finish bottom of the Prem table.
Maybe this one isn't quite as bold as first thought.
With the Newcastle Red Bulls strengthening significantly, the battle to avoid finishing bottom will be the hardest fought we've seen in years.
Harlequins have been sleep walking towards 10th place for a couple of seasons now and have completely lost the identity that saw them lift the title in 2021.
George Furbank is an astute pick up but even he is unlikely to do enough to drag Harlequins away from the wrong end of the table.
Leicester Tigers
Bold Prediction: Leicester Tigers will finish outside the top four.
Geoff Parling's first season at Leicester Tigers was an unprecedented success, securing a top four finish alongside winning the Prem Rugby Cup.
However, the sheer level of turnover across the last two summers cannot be ignored, with senior, international players departing.
While the spine is still more than good enough to warrant a place in the top four, untimely injuries or international commitments could cause the Tigers to drop out of those play-off places.
Newcastle Red Bulls
Bold Prediction: Newcastle Red Bulls will qualify for the European Rugby Champions Cup for the 2027/28 season.
Having last competed with Europe's elite back in 2018/19 - a season which saw them relegated to the Championship - a return to the Champions Cup is well overdue for Newcastle.
The ambitious, newly-named Red Bulls have made a boat-load of new signings for the upcoming season, adding quality talent not seen up North for decades.
If this new crop of talent can gel quickly, Newcastle could earn themselves a spot back at European rugby's top table.
Northampton Saints
Bold Prediction: Northampton Saints will not reach the Prem final.
After their performances last campaign, this would be inconceivable.
However, outside noise about the futures of some of their key stars could have a detrimental impact on their chances this season.
Saints will likely still be in the conversation to top the table at the end of the regular season, but if a few key men have already decided to exit, their form in the play-offs could be impacted.
Sale Sharks
Bold Prediction: Alex Sanderson will depart Sale Sharks this season.
With Sale's drop off in recent seasons, this one feels more likely than a few of the others.
The Alex Sanderson era was seen as one of extreme promise when he was announced as the new boss at the CorpAcq Stadium, but a poor standard of rugby and lack of results have led to questions over his future.
With a number of key signings brought in, Sanderson's future could be under threat if he doesn't get them ticking in 2026/27.
Saracens
Bold Prediction: Saracens will win the 2026/27 Prem title.
After a poor campaign in 2025/26, Saracens are our bold shout to win the 2026/27 title.
The Men in Black have recruited some top internationals into their squad, alongside the change of management for the first time in a decade and a half.
Famously tough to beat in big matches, Saracens could come into their own in the play-offs and reclaim the title for the first time since 2022/23.
