Sport Writer Charlie Mead reviews the start of the 2025/26 Gallagher PREM season
With the newly rebranded Gallagher PREM truly up and running again, it is an appropriate time to assess the progress, potential and problems teams faced in their opening games.
Who looks good?
The obvious team that comes to mind whenever anyone asks you to pair the word ‘good’ with a rugby team is Bath.
Winning three in a row, with the closest game having a twelve-point margin, is a dreamy start to a title defense. Some thought Bath were scary last year; the inclusion of Chris Harris, Henry Arundell, and Santi Carreras will have you dizzy when noticing your team is next up to become another victim of Johan van Graan and Finn Russell’s superior form of rugby.
Facing Leicester and Bristol in the weeks to come could provide a challenge to their defence, but there is little doubt that Bath fans will be losing much sleep over it.
Instantly producing ‘game of the season’ contenders, we have Northampton. They have a very unorthodox style of play at the moment, but it works.
They have already accumulated nearly a third of the points they racked up last season. Furthermore, with four British and Irish Lions and other international stars amongst their barracks, there is understandably a lot of hope and excitement in Saints this season.
Facing Leicester and Bristol in the weeks to come could provide a challenge to their defence, but it’s doubtful that Bath fans will be losing much sleep over it.
Saracens and Sale both won two of their first three games. George Ford is aging like a fine wine, acting as the Sharks’ base, the driving force that will most likely see them to another play-off.
Speaking of English icons, it would be hard not to mention Owen Farrell’s return to North London.
Ford and Farrell’s leadership and astute professionalism will no doubt help their fellow teammates thrive in their environment. The Sharks’ brute force, strengthened further with the signing of Jacques Vermeulen, will give hope to the fans in Salford that they could escape the play-off limbo they find themselves in and advance into the final.
Like Sale, Saracens are packed with some massive names in the rugby world. Last season was disappointing for them, but a dominant display in their first two games shows more fight in this year’s campaign.
Yet, the loss against Harlequins does uncover some cracks.
Lastly, Bristol. Their largest fault last year was their defence. They got pummelled by Saracens, but their games against Leicester and Exeter demonstrated impressive defensive composure.
However, as one issue ends, another arises, as the defensive issues have made way for the ‘injury crisis’. Fifteen players not being fit for training before their game against Exeter will apply a lot of pressure on those needing to step up.
Like Sale, Saracens are packed with some massive names in the rugby world.
Amongst the physiotherapists scrambling around and sports nutritionists trying to find some fresh avocados for a player’s torn hamstring, Pat Lam illustrates why he is the coolest man in the league.
Whether he’d won the lottery, stubbed his toe, or had a massive injury setback, Pat has a perpetual sense of chillness surrounding him. If his reserves can step up, Bristol could come out the other side of this unscathed.
Who is struggling?
Exeter’s mixed bag of results is better than constantly losing, like last year. The two double-barreled shotguns incarnate, Immanuel Feyi-Wabosos and Paul Brown-Bampoe, have as many names as the number of tries they score.
It is true, the loss of players, like Dan Frost and Jacques Vermeulen, may be a cause for concern in regards to how their pack lines up this year, but their playing style is looking more like Slade’s hair, slick and firm. Yet failing to win against a 14 man Bristol team is worrisome.
Leicester is in a similar position. Losing a world class distributing operator in Pollard requires time to adjust. The squad is young and there are now a lot of players coming of age in Ollie Chessum, Freddie Steward and Jack van Portvliet. They just need to find some rhythm to make the most of their season.
It is true, the loss of players, like Dan Frost and Jacques Vermeulen, may be a cause for concern in regards to how their pack lines up this year, but their playing style is looking more like Slade’s hair, slick and firm
Harlequins are a strange one. There has been a lot of pessimism leading up to the season. No doubt the quality is there, however, something just hasn’t clicked.
Losing their first two games wasn’t the best start to the season, but the guile of Marcus Smith and the link-up play he offers may be enough to keep them out of trouble. Only time can tell with this bizarre team.
Who is in crisis?
Gloucester and Newcastle, unsurprisingly, have been allocated to this category. Gloucester lost nineteen players this summer. If you are to lose that many players, you must keep momentum. Gloucester haven’t done that.
They are facing a lot of injuries, but the expansive playing style and counter-attacking style from last season seems to be a thing of the past. This squad needs to find some structure and have a strong run into the Autumn Internationals, otherwise this could be a bleak season.
Finally, Newcastle. The Red Bull takeover hasn’t been what they had hoped. Three losses and zero bonus points look dismal. Now, add the sacking of Steve Diamond, the constant battery on the pitch, and social media’s constant joke of their lack of ‘wings’, and where do you find yourself?
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