Prem Rugby 2026-27: the essential club-by-club guide to the new season

Bath have a point to prove, Newcastle are shy of an A-lister and Aaron Wainwright could prove the signing of the summer at Welford Road The 2025 champions go into the new campaign with a point to prove after they were humbled on home turf by Exeter in last season’s semi-finals.

Successfully defending the title is no easy task – it has not been done since Saracens in 2019 – but last season’s failure to return to Twickenham should stiffen the sinews in Johann van Graan’s squad.

There is a World Cup at the end of the campaign and plenty in Bath’s squad also have a point to prove to Steve Borthwick – the centres Ollie Lawrence and Max Ojomoh, and Ted Hill chief among them.

Recruitment has been kept to a minimum, but the arrival of Dan du Preez adds some more Springbok beef.

Losing Thomas du Toit, who has returned to South Africa, is a huge blow, but Will Stuart’s return after a lengthy layoff due to an achilles injury softens it somewhat.

If they finish in the top two Bath would forgo a home semi-final with the Rec finally undergoing much-needed refurbishment, which could ultimately count against them.

Expect them to be in the mix.

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