Part two of our mid-season review of the Premiership and a look at the teams’ prospects for 2018.

Newcastle Falcons
Current position: 5
My prediction at the start: 7
Happy or disappointed? Very happy
Prospects for 2018: Despite a dip in October/November, their win at London Irish capped a very successful December, with five wins in all competitions. If their can continue this run of form, and pick up a more consistent stream of points on the road, then maintaining a top six place will be a real possibility and even compete for that final play-off spot – currently five points away from them and occupied by Gloucester. One area for concern is they are struggling to score points – their 226 is the second lowest in the league, only better than Irish.
My revised prediction: 6

Northampton Saints
Current position: 10
My prediction at the start: 6
Happy or disappointed? Miserable. Currently dealing with seven consecutive defeats, their worst run for 13 years, 343 points conceded (only better than Irish) and Jim Mallinder has been let go – the longest serving Premiership coach until that point.
Prospects for 2018: Things must get better, surely? The massively experienced Alan Gaffney has come in as interim coach to try and steady the ship, and they still have a host of international quality players like Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood, Luther Burrell, Rob Horne and George North. However, a mix of poor form and injury has hampered them – Lawes the notable exclusion from that, although they will likely lose him and Hartley during the Six Nations – and this season is looking increasingly like a write off. They must be careful, they may be 13 points above Irish in the relegation position, but if Irish pick up a couple of victories and Saints’ form fails to improve, it could get increasingly nervy at Franklin’s Gardens; and regardless, Worcester will be looking to chase them down and give them the ignominy of 11th place.
My revised prediction: 10

Sale
Current position: 8
My prediction at the start: 9
Happy or disappointed? Slightly disappointed – although roughly as expected, they will feel they have the potential to be higher, particularly after a couple of narrow losses that could easily have gone the other way.
Prospects for 2018: Likely more of the same, bobbing around the congested middle table. They have some real talent in their side, but seem to be missing a few key ingredients that would turn them into top-six contenders. Other recent fellow mid-tablers, like Newcastle and Gloucester, seem to have taken bigger steps this season, which will likely push Sale down in the final table.
My revised prediction: 9

Saracens
Current position: 2
My prediction at the start: 1
Happy or disappointed? Actually slightly disappointed. Although second, they had a run of poor form (seven consecutive defeats, including that hammering at home by Clermont Auvergne) in recent weeks that has only just been arrested. Look like they got away with it though.
Prospects for 2018: That poor form could mean they end up failing to qualify for the knockout rounds in Europe – however, that would only strengthen their resolve and focus on the Premiership title. They have looked much better since beating Leicester just before Christmas, however they are not quite the unbeatable Saracens team from the past few years. They welcome back two cornerstones of their team from injury in the form of Billy Vunipola and Maro Itoje, which could be the shot in the arm they need. As always though, they will be decimated by international call ups in the Six Nations (by my reckoning, I expect them to lose eight first-team players); this could be the toughest test of their resolve in recent years.
My revised prediction: 2

Wasps
Current position: 3
My prediction at the start: 3
Happy or disappointed? Happy. A poor start to the season has been righted and flying high now.
Prospects for 2018: Wasps looked lost and rudderless at the start of the season – so much so, I wrote an article on what had gone so wrong at the club. Well I shouldn’t have worried; on a six-match winning streak in the Premiership and playing some glorious attacking rugby again – and second only to Saracens in the points scored column. Wasps should also not suffer player-drain to the same extent during the Six Nations; Joe Launchbury and maybe James Haskell and Elliot Daly (if fit) their only likely sacrifices. They do have a very tough set of fixtures coming up, however – this Sunday’s game with Saracens could be vital in the quest for a home semi-final.
My revised prediction: 3

Worcester Warriors
Current position: 11
My prediction at the start: 12
Happy or disappointed? Happy in principle. They have avoided the relegation dogfight that many (including myself) expected, but they will feel they are capable of better. One of the highlights includes a first win at Leicester Tigers in 122 years.
Prospects for 2018: They just need to stay up – and given Irish’s form that looks very achievable, particularly as they are currently 10 points above them. They have a dash of attacking stardust in Francois Hougaard, Chris Pennell, Ben Te’o (if he ever plays for them) and welsh winger Josh Adams – who has scored in six consecutive matches. If they can get their pack to provide a good enough platform for their backs, they should pick up enough bonus points and maybe a few of wins to guarantee their safety and worry the teams directly above them.
My revised prediction: 11

What do you think of your team’s start to the season? Who has really impressed you, while who has been a disappointment?

By Henry Ker