YOUR Aviva Premiership club’s most important player for 2017/18
Aviva PremiershipWednesday, 06 September 2017 at 10:02
Who’s the main man for each Aviva Premiership team this season; the player most crucial to each club's hopes? We give our choices.
Bath - Freddie Burns
Replacing George Ford, Burns will want to light up the Rec on his return to his hometown club with control as well as flair. A fly-half who's gained a reputation for mixing his game, while also has pace and a long boot.
Gained plaudits from every corner of the rugby world last season for his gutsy defence and reigning in the fancy stuff he sometimes did too much at Gloucester. The playmaker will be key to the black, blue and whites top four ambitions.
Exeter Chiefs - Matt Kvesic
The reigning champions haven't done a lot of business, but one man Rob Baxter made his number one target was Matt Kvesic.
The flanker will have to pick up the pace at his new club as he now finds himself behind international newcomers Sam Underhill and Tom Curry in the England pecking order.
Exeter will give him the launchpad to make the high-tempo impact as a carrier and in the ruck that he likes but struggled to do at Gloucester last season.
A good season from Kvesic, means a good season for the Chiefs.
Gloucester - Ben Morgan
With quite a few high profile departures this summer, it's important that powerhouse Morgan puts in some big performances for the Cherry and Whites this season.
Seemingly out of the England reckoning, the big number 8 really has to be the torch bearer that lights the fire in a Gloucester side that blows hot and cold far too often.
Harlequins - James Horwill
There were signs last season that the former Wallabies skipper was getting to grips with the grueling demands of the long Aviva Premiership season, which has led to him being appointed captain.
Can the big Aussie second-row get that Quins pack operating efficiently? If he does who knows what they could achieve this season.
Leicester Tigers - Ellis Genge
The Tigers forwards have lacked their famed aggressiveness but one man who could reignite that snarl is Genge.
England's starting loosehead in Argentina, he showed he can channel his aggression successfully into big performances.
At 22, Genge is already Tigers power packed scrummager and carrying spearhead, making him crucial, but his discipline will be key. Tigers are a lot weaker without him.
London Irish - Napolioni Nalaga
The big Fijian speedster is a natural born try machine.
The winger's strike rate in six years at Clermont was phenomenal, and 22 tries in 32 games for Lyon last season to help them avoid relegation was not too bad shabby either.
Lethal at close range, the 31-year-old might have enough life in his legs to help the Exiles avoid the drop if they can give him good service.
Newcastle Falcons - Mark Wilson
Now an England international, the rugged Wilson is the forward discovery of the last 12 months for Newcastle and Eddie Jones.
The versatile Falcons back-rower forced his way into the England squad in the summer and shone against Argentina.
Great close-quarter grappling strength and a huge appetite for work makes him a breakdown menace.
Dean Richards has developed his Falcons team around Wilson, making him essential for them this season.
Northampton Saints - Piers Francis
Francis could be the signing of the summer. Can he be the all-dancing fly-half the Franklin's Gardens faithful have been waiting for?
Quick feet and hands, and having the Auckland Blues as a finishing school should guarantee that he is the real deal when it comes to revving-up the underperforming Saints backline.
If he can do it, Saints could be back pushing for top four this season.
Sale Sharks - Faf de Klerk
The scrum-half is a pint-sized bundle of energy that's has guided the Lions to back-to-back Super Rugby grand finals.
Having opted for a new start at Sale, de Klerk will be looking to help the Sharks reach the next level and challenge for Champions Cup rugby.
The 25-year-old has a sharp break and a snappy pass, and should significantly sharpen the Sharks' attack.
Saracens - Brad Barritt
With so many players coming in and out of the side due to internationals, Barritt will have to be the linchpin that keeps the Sarries team together this season.
A potent carrier and brave defender, the club captain will be highly influential if the London club are to win their third title in four seasons.
Wasps - Jake Cooper-Wooley
An absolutely fantastic Wasps backline was, at times, let down by an unreliable scrum last season.
A fit Cooper-Woolley is a core component to fixing that if Wasps want to go from contenders to champions this season.
The tighthead's notable absence from their scrum saw them crumble under the pressure against Exeter in the Twickenham cliffhanger, leaving them as runners-up.
They will be praying that their first choice No.3's injury problems are now behind him.
Worcester Warriors - Ben Te'o
Having had a very successful tour of New Zealand with the British & Irish Lions, the centre now must turn his attention to being a driving force for Worcester as they look to avoid the drop.
If his off-loafing becomes as damaging as his line-breaking, the Warriors could spring a surprise or two.
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