With the new Aviva Premiership on the horizon, we take a look at the 12 clubs battling for the 2016/2017 title, the new faces joining them and assess their chances for domestic glory.
Bath
Last season: 9th
Best finish: 1st and losing finalists (2003/04)
What's hot: Flanker Taulupe Faletau already boasts 61 Wales caps at the age of 25, with a British and Irish Lions Test to his name to boot. The aggressive loose forward knows not just how but also when and where to break a defensive line. Such timing, positioning and brute strength will add vital bludgeon to Bath's finesse-laden back-row.
What's not: Unrest at the Rec. It was a tough season for the Bath faithful last campaign as they went from Premiership finalists to ninth in the table. The coming and going of Sam Burgess caused a stir while Mike Ford was shown the door after a string of below-par results. A total of 20 senior players and coaches have left since the 2015 Premiership final meaning new coach Todd Blackadder will have to install some stability if Bath are to change their fortunes around.
What's changed: Bath have been refreshed with the arrival of Luke Charteris, Taulupe Faletau and Kahn Foutali'I while Elliott Stooke and Michael van Vuuren will provide competition for places. However, with the likes of Rob Webber, Stuart Hooper, Dom Day, Alafoti Faosiliva, Leroy Houston and Kyle Eastmond all leaving the club it could prove to be a transition season in the West Country.
Ins: Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Kahn Fotuali'I (Northampton), Elliott Stooke (Gloucester), Michael van Vuuren (Leicester), Jack Walker (Yorkshire Carnegie, Harry Davies (Cardiff Blues).
Outs: Kyle Eastmond (Wasps), Ollie Devoto (Exeter), Leroy Houston (Queensland Reds), Rob Webber (Sale Sharks), Horacio Agulla (Castres), Dominic Day (Toyota Verblitz, Japan), Luke Arscott (Bristol), Jonathan Evans (Scarlets), Tom Woolstencroft (Bath), Max Northcote-Green (London Irish), Will Spencer, Alafoti Fa'osiliva (both Worcester), Stuart Hooper (retired).
Bristol
Last season: Promoted from Championship
Best finish: 3rd (2006/07)
What's hot: Hoping to learn from the likes of Exeter Chiefs and Worcester Warriors in how to avoid the immediate drop back into the Championship, Bristol have recruited wisely with a host of players with top-flight experience. They have paired this with a selection of the Championship's finest talents while staying loyal to the players that got them to the Premiership in the first place.
What's not: For many, Bristol have been written off before the season has even begun. History suggests that Exeter are the exception and not the rule as many promoted teams struggle to make their mark at the top table, languishing in the danger zone and finding themselves in relegation dog-fights from the word go.
What's changed: Bristol have pulled out all the stops to ensure they remain in the top flight, adding the likes of Jordan Crane, Soane Tonga'uiha, Martin Roberts and Tusi Pisi to their squad. They face into their return to the Premiership without influential and experienced scrum-half Dwayne Peel (retirement) and England hopeful Ellis Genge, who has made his loan to Leicester Tigers a permanent deal.
Ins: Jordan Crane (Leicester), Soane Tonga'uiha (Oyonnax), Tusi Pisi (Japan Sunwolves), Luke Arscott (Bath), Martin Roberts, Ryan Bevington (both Ospreys), Giorgi Nemsadze (Tarbes), Jordan Williams, Rhodri Williams (both Scarlets), Will Hurrell (Doncaster), Nick Fenton-Wells (Bedford), Thretton Palamo (London Welsh), Jon Fisher (Northampton).
Outs: Matthew Morgan (Cardiff Blus), Ellis Genge (Leicester), Tommaso Benvenuti (Treviso), Marco Mama (Worcester), Craig Hampson (Wasps), George Watkins (Jersey), Josh Ovens, James Stephenson (both released), Dwayne Peel (retired).
Exeter
Last season: 2nd and beaten finalists
Best finish: 2nd and beaten finalists (2015/16)
What's hot: Continuity. Why change a winning formula? The Chiefs pushed Saracens all the way in last season's showpiece event and now with the added big-game experience provided by that occasion, as well as the ever-growing contingent of international talent, the Chiefs could go one better this season.
What's not: Exeter have gone from underdogs to one of the teams to beat. They have played their hand and others now know what to expect from Rob Baxter's men and teams will be better equipped to deal with their threats. Meanwhile, success brings the Devon club a host of different challenges, such as the strain of competition on both a domestic and European front while losing a whole host of key players to international duty.
What's changed: Exeter have mainly stuck with the squad that gave them their most successful season to date with Baxter bringing in just three new faces to Sandy Park; Ollie Devoto, Greg Holmes and Dave Dennis. Winger Jack Arnott and prop Alex Brown both move on to pastures new as they join the Cornish Pirates and Perpignan respectively.
Ins: Ollie Devoto (Bath), Greg Holmes (Queensland Reds), Dave Dennis (NSW Waratahs).
Outs: Adam Hughes (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Brown (Perpignan), Lewis Stevenson (Connacht), Byron McGuigan (Sale Sharks), Jack Arnott (Cornish Pirates), Brett Sturgess (retired).
Gloucester
Last season: 8th
Best finish: 1st and beaten finalists (2002/03, 2006/07)
What's hot: Greig Laidlaw steering the ship. The team's captain is said to have improved the relationship between the players and coaching staff in the off-season in a move that can only help coherence on the pitch. His international experience will prove invaluable to a squad littered with young up-and-coming players while helping hone the skills of Gloucester's future scrum-halves.
What's not: The late arrival of Josh Hohneck. Gloucester will have to wait until New Zealand Maori's trans-Atlantic tour is over to see their new signing in action. Negotiations had taken place between director of rugby David Humphreys and the NZRU over an early release for the prop but their request was denied, leaving the Cherry and Whites without their man until mid-November at the earliest.
What's changed: Gloucester have continued to add to their southern hemisphere contingent with the signings of the Highlanders' Josh Hohneck and the Hurricanes' Moto Matu'u. Former Edinburgh centre Matt Scott will add to their resources in the midfield while promising youngster Charlie Beckett joins from Leicester Tigers. Bill Meakes and Elliott Stooke lead the players leaving the club, Meakes swapping Kingsholm for a spell with the Western Force as Stooke joins rivals Bath.
Ins: Josh Hohneck (Highlanders, New Zealand), Motu Matu'u (Hurricanes, New Zealand), Matt Scott (Edinburgh), Tom Denton (Leinster), Andy Symons (Worcester), Cameron Orr (Greater Sydney Rams), Charlie Beckett (Leicester Tigers).
Outs: Bill Meakes (Western Force, Australia), Elliott Stooke (Bath), Steve McColl (Yorkshire Carnegie), Tom Hicks (Rotherham), Dan Murphy, Nick Wood, Rob Cook, Steph Reynolds (all released).
Harlequins
Last season: 7th
Best finish: 1st and champions (2011/12)
What's hot: A fully refreshed Joe Marler. After turning down the chance to tour with England this summer due to mental and physical exhaustion, the prop is ready and raring to go for the new season.
What's not: The loss of Nick Easter. Although the talismanic No 8 remains at the club with his new role in the coaching team he will no longer be Quins' go-to man on the field. His strong ball-carrying game and try-scoring exploits will be sorely missed by the Twickenham club but with their host of back-row talent and Easter at the helm the hole left may not be as large as once feared.
What's changed: Former Wasps fly-half Ruaridh Jackson replaces Ben Botica as Nick Evans' understudy, while Junior World Championship-winning full-back Aaron Morris makes the move from Saracens as back-up for Mike Brown. Nick Easter joins a new-look coaching team for the club that includes Graham Rowntree, headed up by John Kingston.
Ins: Mark Reddish (Highlanders, New Zealand), Ruaridh Jackson (Wasps), Cameron Holenstein (Pau), Charlie Mulchrone (Worcester), George Naoupu (Connacht), Aaron Morris (Saracens), Alofa Alofa (La Rochelle).
Outs: Ben Botica (Montpellier), Tito Tebaldi (Treviso), Sam Egerton (Newcastle), Kieran Treadwell (Ulster), Nick Easter (retired), Ollie Lindsay-Hague (released).
Leicester Tigers
Last season: 4th (beaten semi-finalists)
Best finish: 1st and champions (2008/09, 2009/10)
What's hot: Leicester boss Richard Cockerill expects wrecking-ball centre Manu Tuilagi to be back to his very best this season after an injury-hit campaign last year. The 25-year-old had battled serious groin trouble for 18 months before a hamstring strain ruled him out of England's summer tour to Australia. A fully-firing Tuilagi could elevate both Leicester and England to different levels though, should he rediscover his full destructive game-breaking ability.
What's not: The years of Leicester's exclusive dominance across the league appear to have gone with more and more of their rivals making claims at the top of the table. A trip to Welford Road was once a highly-feared fixture in the 22 rounds of action but now increasing teams go there with the belief that they will test the Tigers and come away with a victory.
What's changed: The Tigers have pushed the boat out with a host of impressive signings including JP Pietersen and Matt Toomua. Jordan Crane, Tommy Bell, Niall Morris, Miles Benjamin, Vereniki Goneva and Jean de Villiers have all left Welford Road.
Ins: JP Pietersen (Sharks, South Africa), Matt Toomua (Brumbies, Australia), Tom Brady (Sale Sharks), Pat Cilliers (Montpellier), Ellis Genge (Bristol), George McGuigan (Newcastle), Luke Hamilton (Agen), Ben Betts (Munster).
Outs: Leonardo Ghiraldini (Toulouse), Vereniki Goneva, Opeti Fonua (both Newcastle), Jordan Crane (Bristol), Tommy Bell, Sebastian De Chaves (both London Irish), Michael van Vuuren (Bath), Tiziano Pasquali (Treviso), Niall Morris (Leinster), Matias Aguero, Christian Loamanu (both Provence), Laurence Pearce (Sale Sharks), Jean de Villiers, Seremaia Bai, Miles Benjamin (all retired).
Newcastle Falcons
Last season: 11th
Best finish: 1st (1997/98)
What's hot: The signing of Vereniki Goneva from Leicester. The winger is a proven try-scorer, crossing the whitewash 41 times during his four-year spell with the Tigers while also bringing a winning mentality to the north east.
"We are getting not only a world-class player with Vereniki, but also somebody who has consistently proven they can thrive in the Aviva Premiership," said Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards.
"He will bring another dimension to our back-line firepower from next season onwards, and it says much for the current standing of the Falcons that we can attract a player of his calibre."
What's not: The Falcons continue to lose talent to their rivals. The latest player to follow the well-trodden path to Welford Road is hooker George McGuigan who follows Mathew Tait, Micky Young, Toby Flood and Geoff Parling down to the East Midlands.
What's changed: There have been plenty of changes up at Kingston Park ahead of the new season. While many may not be household names to regular Premiership watchers, a fresh approach may just be what the Falcons need as they look to avoid the drop zone.
Ins: Vereniki Goneva. Opeti Fonua (both Leicester), Kyle Cooper (Sharks, South Africa), Sam Egerton (Harlequins/England Sevens), Joshua Chisanga (Kenya Sevens), Nick Civetta (Medicei, Italy), Ben Sowrey (Worcester), David Tameilau (San Francisco Rush), Joel Hodgson (Yorkshire Carnegie), Sam Lockwood (Jersey), Harrison Orr (Ealing), Tyrone Holmes (Glasgow Warriors), Andrew Davidson (Glasgow Hawks), Evan Olmstead (London Scottish).
Outs: Josh Furno, Giamba Venditti (both Zebre), George McGuigan (Leicester), Richard Mayhew (Yorkshire Carnegie), Kane Thompson (Manawatu, New Zealand), Rob Hawkins (retired) Todd Clever, Alesana Tuilagi, Anitelea Tuilagi (all released), Andy Goode, Gonzalo Tiesi (both retired)
Northampton Saints
Last season: 5th
Best finish: 2nd and champions (2012/13)
What's hot: The signing of Louis Picamoles. Possibly the star signing of the season from any of the Premiership clubs, Picamoles will add to the Saints' already extensive back-row options providing an experienced head at the back of the scrum and giving some well-needed go-forward.
Northampton struggled at times to get over the gain-line after Samu Manoa's move to Toulon but they have found someone to more that fill that role.
What's not: Jim Mallinder has resisted temptation to shuffle his squad after a disappointing season. Mallinder's faith in his players is to be admired but after struggling to compete for the full season while others around them benefited from strengthening their resources, it could be another season outside of the play-offs.
What's changed: Stormers scrum-half Nic Groom makes the move to Northampton to replace the departing Kahn Fotuali'i while hooker Charlie Clare arrives from Bedford to add to their depth at hooker. They have lost former England U20s prop Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi to London Irish and back row Jon Fisher to Bristol as the pair search for more game time.
Ins: Louis Picamoles (Toulouse), Nic Groom (Stormers, South Africa), Juan Pablo Estelles (Rosario, Argentina), Matt Beesley (Wharfedale), Charlie Clare (Bedford).
Outs: Kahn Fotuali'i (Bath), Matt Williams (Worcester), Jon Fisher (Bristol), Pat Howard (Newport Gwent Dragons), Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (London Irish), Victor Matfield (retired), Alex Corbisiero (sabbatical).
Sale Sharks
Last season: 6th
Best finish: 1st and champions (2005/06)
What's hot: The club has ambitious new owners led by Simon Orange, brother of ex-'Take That' star Jason, and have appointed former British and Irish Lions prop Fran Cotton, himself a renowned businessman, as chairman. The owners are planning significant investment in the Sharks' infrastructure and playing squad as they try to establish themselves as a north-west union powerhouse.
What's not: Former Sale Sharks player Cillian Willis is taking legal action against the club, claiming he was allowed to carry on playing in a match despite having suffered two head injuries. The case is not to be expected to be heard for at least another 18 months and could rumble on as a dark cloud over the club in the meantime.
What's changed: While Steve Diamond remains a constant at the top for Sale, once again they face a season with a high turnover of players with headline acts such as Danny Cipriani and Chris Cusiter heading for the exit door.
There are however some notable new faces around the club with Mike Phillips making the switch from Racing 92 and cross-code convert Josh Charnley looking to make his mark in union.
Ins: Mike Phillips (Racing 92), Josh Charnley (Wigan RL), AJ MacGinty (Connacht), Juandre Kruger (Racing 92), Rob Webber (Bath), Kieran Longbottom (Saracens), Halani Aulika (London Irish), Byron McGuigan (Exeter), Lou Read (Cardiff Blues), Laurence Pearce (Leicester), Dan Mugford (Nottingham), Curtis Langdon (London Welsh).
Outs: Danny Cipriani, Tommy Taylor (both Wasps), Tom Brady (Leicester), Vadim Cobilas (Bordeaux-Begles), Nick Macleod (Newport Gwent Dragons), Viliami Fihaki (Edinburgh), Joe Ford (Yorkshire Carnegie), Chris Cusiter, Mark Easter (both retired).
Saracens
Last season: 1st and champions
Best finish: 1st and champions (2015/16)
What's hot: The singing of sevens star Savenaca Rawaca. If the flying Fijian can transfer at least some of his power, pace and try-scoring prowess into the 15-man game he will be one to watch next season. Rawaca could add another dimension to a club often criticised for their one-dimensional style of play. The fast-paced surface of Allianz Park could prove the perfect place for the Olympic gold medallist to terrorise opposition defences.
What's not: Fly-half Owen Farrell will miss the start of the season due to a back problem and although the club insist his injury is not serious, the No 10 cupboard already looks bare for the north London side. Alex Lozowski and Alex Goode are the men enlisted with covering the 24-year-old in his absence but as last year's international period showed, all it takes is one more injury and there could be nobody there to steer the Saracens ship.
What's changed: The reigning Premiership and European champions have made some eye-catching additions to their already plentiful squad. Most notably former IRB world player of the year Schalk Burger comes into the side to replace the retiring duo of Jacques Burger and Ernst Joubert, while Shaun Maitland will provide cover over the back three.
Charlie Hodgson also makes the switch from fly-half general to the Saracens backroom staff as he takes up the role of head of recruitment.
Ins: Schalk Burger, Vincent Koch (both Stormers, South Africa), Sean Maitland (London Irish), Save Rawaca (Fiji Sevens), Alex Lozowski (Wasps), Mark Flanagan (Bedford).
Outs: Rhys Gill (Cardiff Blues), Kieran Longbottom (Sale Sharks), Ben Ransom, David Porecki (both London Irish), Aaron Morris (Harlequins), Charlie Hodgson, Jacques Burger, Ernst Joubert, Nils Mordt (all retired).
Wasps
Last season: 3rd and beaten semi-finalists
Best finish: 2nd and champions (2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08)
What's hot: Wasps' electric backline. While they may have lost the services of dynamic duo Charles and Siale Piutau, Dai Young has brought in a host of exciting talent. Kurtley Beale, Willie Le Roux, Danny Cipriani and Kyle Eastmond have all made the move to Coventry, joining the likes of Elliot Daly, Christian Wade and Joe Simpson in a back-line brimming with danger men.
Wasps showed just what they are capable of when they ran riot against champions Saracens at Allianz Park last season and if their new signings click, scorelines like the 23-64 victory achieved on Valentine's Day could become a regular occurrence.
What's not: Making the headlines. While there is no denying that Danny Cipriani and Kurtley Beale make a formidable pairing on the field, off the field they have had their fair share of misdemeanours. Beale was disciplined by the Rebels on more than one occasion for his off-field conduct, and he has faced a number of other disciplinary issues during his career. Cipriani is also never too far from the headlines, most recently being convicted for drink-driving and caught up in a blackmail scandal.
What's changed: While Wasps have lost a whole host of big named players including the Pituau brothers, George Smith, Ruaridh Jackon and Andrea Masi, they have recruited wisely and will not be far away from honours this season.
Ins: Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs), Willie Le Roux (Canon Eagles, Japan), Danny Cipriani, Tommy Taylor (Sale Sharks), Kyle Eastmond (Bath), Marty Moore (Leinster), Nick De Luca (Biarritz), Matt Symons, Tom Cruse (both London Irish), Guy Armitage (London Welsh). Tom Woolstencroft (Bath), Craig Hampson (Bristol), Marcus Garratt (Cornish Pirates).
Outs: Charles Piutau (Ulster), George Smith (Suntory Goliath, Japan/Queensland Reds), Bradley Davies (Ospreys), Lorenzo Cittadini (Bayonne), Ruaridh Jackson (Harlequins), Siale Piutau (Yamaha Jubilo, Japan), Carlo Festuccia (Zebre), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Jamie Stevenson (London Scottish), Andrea Masi, James Downey, Edd Shervington, Ben Jacobs (all retired).
Worcester Warriors
Last season: 10th
Best finish: 8th (2005/06)
What's hot: The signing of Samoan international Alafoti Fa'osiliva. The flanker has 18 international caps and has joined the Warriors from Bath. Head coach Carl Hogg is hopeful the flanker will bring valuable experience to the side.
"Alafoti is a great athlete and his versatility will add greater strength and depth to our back row," he said. "He is a big ball-carrier with international experience. Those are key attributes which will stand him in good stead ahead of the new campaign, so we're excited about seeing what he can do out on the pitch."
What's not: Flanker Dewald Potgieter will be out of action for the first three months of the season after another injury setback. The South African has undergone an operation to repair a tendon tear in his left thigh after damaging it during a running session.
What's changed: Having successfully avoided relegation upon their return to the Premiership in 2015/16, Worcester now look to push on, signified by the signing of Ben Te'o from Leinster alongside the additions of Jackson Willison (Grenoble) and Biyi Alo (Saracens).
The most notable name on the departure list is that of director of rugby Dean Ryan, who has joined the RFU as head of international player development.
Ins: Ben Te'o (Leinster), Dewald Potgieter (Yamaha Jubilo, Japan), Jackson Willison (Grenoble), Matt Williams (Northampton), Alatofi Fa'osiliva, Will Spencer (both Bath), Marco Mama (Bristol).
Outs: Charlie Mulchrone (Harlequins), Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier (Nevers, France), Darren O'Shea (Munster), Andy Symons (Gloucester), Ben Sowrey (Newcastle), Dan Sanderson (Yorkshire Carnegie), Alex Grove (Birmingham Moseley), Ravai Fatiaki, Dan George (both released).