THE RACE IS...

All you need to know about every team in both the GALLAGHER PREM and UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP this season

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LIKE LIFE itself, rugby does not stop.

The 2025-26 domestic season is here and it's ready to rock. Last year it was two club giants who came out on top - Bath in the English Premiership and Leinster in the URC. Each buried their own respective demons to take domestic honours and both head into the new season as favourites to retain their titles. Going back-to-back is a tough task. In both leagues, plenty of teams will be snapping at the heels of the leaders in the hunt for silverware; others will just be hoping for a better year than last. Either way, there are 101 subplots and stories to keep us glued to the game. Over the next 30 pages, we preview all 26 teams across the two competitions. Enjoy!

BATH

DISCUSSION POINTS

“The sky's the limit for this team,” said skipper Ben Spencer after Bath completed a remarkable treble in June of Premiership, Premiership Cup and Challenge Cup. And who can disagree? Spencer and Finn Russell drive a team that is bursting with international class, the experienced nous of men like Thomas du Toit, Charlie Ewels and Sam Underhill offset by the youthful zest of Max Ojomoh and Guy Pepper. The measured approach of director of rugby Johann van Graan - “never too high, never too low” is one of his core philosophies - keeps Bath on an even keel and not the least of his talents is keeping 60-odd players happy.

That challenge will only increase after some stellar signings. The pick of them is Puma Santi Carreras, prone to flaky moments but at his best a top-ten player globally. Henry Arundell could reignite the English game after a stint in Paris, while Chris Harris covers in the absence of Ollie Lawrence, still recovering from a ruptured Achilles. It adds up to one meaty package.

KEY PLAYER