Now is the summer of our discontent made glorious winter by the start of the Rugby season. I have rarely looked forward to a new season so much and OK, fair enough, a lot of it is down to wanting to see the back of this crappy summer, but by the same token the schedule promises one hell of a ride. We’ll veer from Magner’s to Heineken to EDF to Autumn Series and back again before the business of the 6 Nations..

So first things first The Magner’s League, considered by most outside the Celtic Unions, and many within, to be an unloved offspring of a marriage of convenience. Despite the “make it up as we go along” nature of its formative years, the competition is showing signs of maturity. Toward the back end of last term we saw evidence of an increased intensity and commitment from players, and the sustained criticism of the Irish sides for not taking it seriously is beginning to sound hollow, given that the Trophy has spent two of the last three seasons on the other side of the Irish Sea.

It would still be somewhat disingenuous however to suggest that The Magner’s has achieved the competitive validity of the Premiership in England or Top 14 in France, where the belief is that any team could beat any other on their day; despite this factoid, they are so often won by usual suspects. The Magner’s retains credibility issues, for example it’s only at this stage of the season, with no matches played and the table displayed alphabetically, that The Dragons and Connacht get near the summit, and after major upheaval north of the border the attendances in Scotland are pitiful.

Plans are afoot to address some issues regarding the qualification for Europe, and the destabilising effect of the EDF on the Celtic calendar. By doing so it would build on the positives, like an average gate of over 14,000 for Leinster and the fact that Wales are reigning 6 Nations Champions. And so to the season ahead, regular readers of this column will be delighted to hear that despite a modest predictive record, I am happy to stick my neck out and give you all a laugh so let’s have a look at the runners and the riders.

THE PROBABLES.

MUNSTER: I have written off Munster before and it has always bitten me in my well padded backside, they are without doubt a great side, perhaps too good. The feeling is that as reigning European Champions they may deploy all resources to defending their crown, but they are now so well balanced, with precision tools to complement their blunt instruments, they regularly finish in the top three and will almost certainly do so again.

OSPREYS: Last season The Ospreys title defence was frankly bewildering; despite a tasty squad and they were too often insipid, and transferred that form to a Sunday afternoon in Watford which cost Lyn Jones his job. Despite not moving much in the transfer market, they have the depth to fight on all fronts and have Andrew Hore holding the reigns and talking the talk. It should be very interesting, as a poor start to the season could be calamitous for the new order, so expect a full blooded tilt at from an ambitiuos outfit.

LEINSTER: Often style over substance, they have recruited carefully and added bulk to the pack to match the class of the backs. Brian O’Driscoll’s form has been AWOL for so long his reputation has suffered, but inside him Contepomi and Whittaker are assured and will have a firm hand on the tiller. That said I expect their attention to be focused elsewhere, but will finish high almost by default.

BLUES: By common consent Dai Young is sitting in the hottest of seats, and despite his pragmatism and the respect his troops have for him, he will surely be jumpy if another season goes by without tangible success. Tito may prove an inspired selection as captain and Jamie Roberts could be the find of the century at 12, but 10 is the key. Will the solid and steady Sweeney take the shirt from the brilliant, but brittle Robinson? The outcome of that equation will almost certainly decide their fate. Necessity may once again prove to be the mother of invention; The Blues it would seem simply must win.

DARK HORSES

SCARLETS: A crucial season, they must generate momentum and fill the new Parc y Scarlet; another poor season could see them on the brink of the void and lose the capacity to be genuine contenders. The loss of Peel could be me more symbolic than tactical, as they still have plenty of quality. Regan King is perhaps the best back in the Northern Hemisphere whilst new defence coach John Muggleton and an internationally retired Simon Easterby will do all they can to ensure the slide is into mediocrity id arrested. Prepare for mild surprise if not shock.

EDINBURGH: Making steady progress under Andy Robinson who may have endured a torrid time as England coach but has the minerals to galvanise a solid unit. Chris Paterson will keep the board ticking over and they are starting to win some big games on the road, Robinson would love to resatablish his own reputation and these boys could do it for him.

DRAGONS: I confess to a soft spot for the Men of Gwent, they too would confess to soft spots, sadly all over the park. The loss of some quality could be offset by the acquisition of more dog. Whilst the greater good may not be served, Bearman and Ringer will welcome the influx of Kiwi steel to share the workload and with few international call ups, and the underrated Connor at outside half, The Dragons may go further than you might at first think.

THE REST

ULSTER: I would love to be proved wrong, and let’s face it happens, but Ulster, champions just three seasons ago, seem to be in what if you were being kind, you would call transition, or if you were being mean, meltdown. The retirement of the great David Humphreys and the release of players like Justin Harrison, Tommy Bowe and Neil Best to rivals suggests dark times at Ravenhill.

GLASGOW: Some impressive performances last season suggest the squad has spirit and under Sean Lineen they may become harder to beat. Parks will kick goals and take flack, and Beattie is a gem in the rough but generally they have too few players of genuine class to mount a sustained run at the top.

CONNACHT: Must be everyone’s second favourite team, and must themselves be fed up with never being taken all that seriously. Their role in Irish Rugby has prompted calls for a new Region in Wales. They will draw little comfort from their underdog tag and continue to do their job, which is to develop players for Munster and Leinster.

Just so as you have a stick to beat me with here are my predictions for the final standings:-

1. BLUES
2. MUNSTER
3. OSPREYS
4. LEINSTER
5. SCARLETS
6. EDINBURGH
7. DRAGONS
8. GLASGOW
9. ULSTER
10.CONNACHT

Enjoy