Generally a little pessimistic this thread. Gustard Out!

The only guaranteed prediction is that we won't lose home and away to Irish!

Other than that, as has been said, it depends entirely on what changes PG can ring from the squad we have. As per last year, it looks great on paper; good mix of youth and experience, Academy and Internationals. I like the reports that PG wants to work on the team side of things off the pitch as well; they need to play for the shirt and for each other.

All that said, it is a bit of a mountain to climb after last season, and while we have been trying to sort ourselves out, no-one else has stood still. I think we have to be prepared for bottom half of the table, and I think that 8th or 9th won't be the end of the world - as long as the team can show that they have moved forward, and that we are on an upward curve. I'd be delighted if we make top 6 mind, but with everyone else aiming for that, it will be tough.

Bring it on!

Surprised at everyone predicting Worcs going down, they have only strengthened in the off-season, and one more week of the season I'm sure would have seen them finish above us. Maybe still one of the weaker squads, but they're unpredictable.

Can't see Saints doing much this year, and can't see Quins improving hugely either.

I tried this last season and was way off - mainly as Falcons did better than I expected and Saints & Quins did worse - but the table I would expect at the end of 2018/19 is as follows with any movement being within the blocks:

Sarries
Chiefs

Wasps
Tigers

Bath
Sale (with my Sharks glasses on!  ;D)
Gloucester

Quins
Saints
Falcons
Bristol

Worcester

That probably doesn't accurately reflect my exact thinking. I'll be shocked if Falcons do finish 10th (that's a hell of a fall from grace) but I can't see them edging all their tight games again, the Heineken Cup will have an impact on fatigue and I also can't see much between a lot of the teams on paper.

Having a quick look at how other teams have strengthened (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2018%E2%80%9319_Premiership_Rugby_transfers ) and bearing in mind I probably rate our squad a little less than the average Quins fan, I'd say we've not done a great job.

Bath: lots of changes,  IMO. Squad has improved.
Bristol: NFI
Exeter: Slightly diminished.
Gloucester: Big improvement, even if they are SA in disguise.
Tigers: Minor improvement / treading water.
Falcons: Good names in, but a lot of their better players out. Hard to tell.
Saints: Loads of players out, but some real impact players in,  plus new management. Improvement.
Sale: Lost some stalwarts then immediately upgraded. They'll have a mouthwatering backline at least.
Sarries: Brits is a loss, but they've improved their backline again.
Wasps: Good Lord, that's a lot of changes. Who knows - you can expect Shields/Sopoaga/Carr to star, and maybe a couple of others. NFI.
Worcs: Lots in, lots out, but I'm not sure the quality has shifted that much. Treading water.

Quins... lost two regulars, brought in good replacements for them, upgraded on the others leaving (still annoyed about Aspland-Robinson though). So a minor improvement. Is that enough? Gustard and Codling, though...

Won't Exeter now have to deal with losing players to International duty a bit more?

Ok. Give in. RTu?