For those not aware, the English Premiership is actually due to return this weekend with five matches taking place between Friday evening and Sunday afternoon.
Mixed in with the colossal amount of news and hype surrounding the World Cup, the English domestic league has taken a back seat as its restart grows nearer. The now ten-team competition had a series of very sad departures last year, with Worcester Warriors, London Irish, and Wasps all falling to the demise of post-COVID financial ruin.
This new start for the league will for some teams mean fresh hopes as they look to turn around the disappointment of previous seasons. There are a few teams that this description could well belong to, but one name sticks out in particular...Bath Rugby.
The former English and European giants have sadly fallen foul to several years full of failed promises and expectations, falling well below their expected form. They have invested in many big-name signings in recent years, but all have failed to truly hit the mark.
Danny Cipriani was dogged by injury and a lack of confidence which led to him being regarded as a one season flop, and if you go further back and you'll remember the likes of Sam Burgess choosing to exit after just one year.
This time around it's the turn of Scotland sensation Finn Russell to try his luck in the blue, black and white of Bath. The mercurial flyhalf comes with big expectations and hope from Bath fans as he looks to imbed his incredible talent into a currently misfiring Bath backline. It will be youngster Orlando Bailey that takes centre stage on Saturday, however, as Russell settles himself onto the bench for their match against Newcastle Falcons.
When it comes to big stars in the game, former Northampton and England scrum-half Matt Dawson recently echoed the words of Eddie Hearn that rugby has very few 'superstars'. Clearly feeling confident, the South-West based team have chosen to "respectfully disagree" with the former player.
Check out the video here:
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