By Jonathon Moore Rugby union editor

BBC Sport previews the forthcoming Zurich Premiership season as Wasps aim to add to last year's domestic and European double.

CAPTAIN: Jonathan Humphries LAST YEAR: 1st PREDICTION: 6th

After a strong start last term, Bath faded somewhat towards the end of the season before being edged out by Wasps in the Zurich Championship final.

Coach John Connolly has worked wonders with the squad since their relegation-haunted season of 2003-4. But he may struggle to replicate last year's form.

The club will be looking forward to seeing Currie Cup star Frikkie Welsh in action behind the scrum.

But the loss of Iain Balshaw, Mike Catt and Kevin Maggs could hit them hard.

INS: Joe Maddock (Canterbury Crusaders), Frikkie Welsh (Blue Bulls), Nick Walshe (Sale Sharks), Christian Loader (Rotherham).

OUTS: Iain Balshaw (Leeds), Mike Catt (London Irish), Kevin Maggs (Ulster), Wylie Human (Northampton), Scott Gray (Borders), Ross Blake (Bristol Shoguns), Joe Mbu (Harlequins), Hentie Martens, Jamie Williams, Paul Sampson.

CAPTAIN: Jake Boer LAST YEAR: 4th PREDICTION: 5th

The loss of one of the cornerstones of the Gloucester pack - Trevor Woodman - could be keenly felt by the Cherry and Whites this term.

The England prop will instead be plying his trade for Sale, though the arrival of Olivier Azam and prop Christo Bezuidenhout will soften the blow.

As always at Gloucester, expect fireworks at The Shed.

But they will have to get the best out of their new recruits early on to have any hope of stealing the title.

INS: Olivier Azam (Montferrand), Nathan Mauger (Canterbury Crusaders), Christo Bezuidenhout, Adam Balding (Leicester), Gary Powell (Leeds), James Parkes (Saracens), James Bailey (Bristol Shoguns), Terry Sigley (Pertemps Bees).

OUT: Trevor Woodman (Sale Sharks), Junior Paramore (Bedford), Robert Todd (Sale Sharks), Thinus Delport (Worcester), Rodrigo Roncero (Stade Francais), Paul Johnstone (released), Andy Deacon, Steve Brotherstone (both retired).

CAPTAIN: Andre Vos LAST YEAR: 6th PREDICTION: 8th

Harlequins have benefited from the collapse of the Celtic Warriors, with both Dafydd James and Maama Molitika making their way to The Stoop.

James struggled for form on the wing last season, but could make a dramatic impression in the centre alongside England star Will Greenwood.

Mark Evans's side will be aiming to build on last season, when they finished sixth.

But another middle of the table finish beckons for the Londoners.

INS: Dafydd James, Maama Molitika (both Celtic Warriors), Jeremy Staunton (Munster), Steven So'oialo (Orrell), Maurice Fitzgerald (Biarritz), Joe Mbu (Bath).

OUT: Paul Burke (Munster), Pat Sanderson (Worcester), Chris Bell (Leeds), Scott Bemand (Leicester), Josh Taumalolo (Sale Sharks), Jason Leonard, Bill Davison (both retired), Ben Willis (Beziers), Laurent Gomez (Lyon), Rob Jewell, Matt Moore.

CAPTAIN: Tom Palmer LAST YEAR: 11th PREDICTION: 11th

Leeds struggled last season but have made a number of interesting summer signings.

A fit-again Tim Stimpson adds weight with the boot and the presence of Welsh backrower Richard Parks will provide experience at the back of the scrum.

The big question for Leeds is whether coach Phil Davies can nurse former Bath favourite Iain Balshaw back into form.

If he can, the boys from Yorkshire could punch above their weight and cause problems - at home at least.

INS: Iain Balshaw (Bath), Pierre Uys (Stormers), Rayno Gerber (Free State Cheetahs), Tim Stimpson (Perpignan), Richard Parks (Celtic Warriors), Jon Dunbar (Newcastle), Chris Murphy (Pau), Chris Bell (Harlequins), Mark McMillan (Glasgow).

OUT: Dan Scarbrough (Saracens), Aaron Persico (Agen), Clive Stuart-Smith (Worcester), Gary Powell (Gloucester), Matt Salter (Bristol Shoguns), Tristan Davies (Cardiff Blues), James Ponton, Phil Murphy, Ryan Walker (all released).

CAPTAIN: Martin Johnson LAST YEAR: 5th PREDICTION: 1st

A lack of experience at fly-half could prove to be a thorn in Leicester's side this term.

Having parted company with both impressive Springbok Jaco van der Westhuyzen and Ramiro Pez, they have yet to recruit a top-level number 10.

Instead, the goalkicking duties will again fall to Andy Goode.

But with Martin Johnson and Neil Back concentrating fully on domestic honours only a fool would bet against them being in contention next spring.

INS: Seru Rabeni (Otago), Ephraim Taukafa (Northern Suburbs, Sydney), Richard Cockerill (Montferrand), Scott Bemand (Harlequins).

OUT: Jaco van der Westhuyzen (NEC, Japan), Fereti Tuilagi (Cardiff Blues), Adam Balding (Gloucester), Glenn Gelderbloom (Plymouth Albion), James Richards (Newport Gwent Dragons), Tom Tierney (Connacht), Ramiro Pez, Ricky Nebbett, Andrew Powell (all released), Dorian West, Jamie Hamilton (both retired).

CAPTAIN: Ryan Strudwick LAST YEAR: 8th PREDICTION: 10th

Irish will do well to challenge the big sides this term, despite some impressive summer signings.

Mike Catt has made the Exiles his new home and Australian Scott Staniforth and Samoan Peter Poulos should add impetus to an exciting backline.

But questions remain over their staying power up front, particularly without veteran powerhouse Chris Sheasby and South African hooker Naka Drostske.

They will again rely on the awesome kicking power of Barry Everitt.

INS: Mike Catt (Bath), Scott Staniforth (New South Wales Waratahs), Peter Poulos (NTT Docomo, Japan), Robbie Russell, Tony Roques (both Saracens),Rodd Penney (Orrell), Paul Hodgson, Richard Skuse (both Bristol Shoguns).

OUT: Chris Sheasby, Nick Greenstock (both Staines RFC), Naka Drostske (Freestate Cheetahs), Rob Hoadley, Ed Thrower (both Wasps).

CAPTAIN: Jonny Wilkinson & Ian Peel LAST YEAR: 9th PREDICTION: 4th

The Powergen Cup winners are back in the Heineken Cup this year and could be a force once again if Rob Andrew's summer plans come to fruition.

The former England fly-half has brought in a handful of big names, including impressive Australian full-back Matthew Burke and Welsh captain Colin Charvis.

Burke has been in top form for the Aussies during the recent Tri-nations.

And with Jonny Wilkinson back to full fitness, Andrew will be confident of a better showing than last year's 9th.

INS: Matt Burke (New South Wales Waratahs), Colin Charvis (Tarbes), Semo Sititi (Borders), Mike McCarthy (Connacht), Andy Long, Luke Gross (both Rotherham).

OUT: Hugh Vyvyan (Saracens), Warren Britz (Natal Sharks), Jon Dunbar (Leeds), Ben Gollings (Worcester), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Garath Archer, Mark Andrews (both retired).

CAPTAIN: Corne Krige LAST YEAR: 3rd PREDICTION: 3rd

After a summer of change, things are looking up for Northampton and new coach Alan Solomons.

Despite the departure of some old heads, including scrum-half Matt Dawson, their new-look squad has an intriguing look about it.

South African powerhouses Corne Krige, Selbourne Boome and Robbie Kempson are guaranteed to cause a stir.

And Australian centre Marc Stcherbina should be an adequate replacement for the departing John Leslie.

INS: Corne Krige, Selbourne Boome (both Western Province), Robbie Kempson (Ulster), Marc Stcherbina (Biarritz), Wylie Human (Bath), John Rudd (Wasps), Damien Browne (Connacht), Joe Ross (Bedford), Johan van Wyk (Border Bulldogs, South Africa), Ben Russell (Saracens).

OUT:: Matt Dawson (Wasps), John Leslie (Otago), Mark Connors (Japan), Jon Phillips (Bedford), Tevita Taumoepeau (Bourgoin), James Brooks (Wasps), Nick Beal (retired).

CAPTAIN: Jason Robinson LAST YEAR: 7th PREDICTION: 9th

The loss of coach Jim Mallinder to the Rugby Football Union could hit Sale hard this season.

The Sharks were reluctant to let him go and, despite the purchase of Trevor Woodman, Phillipe Saint Andre has a huge job on his hands.

However, new lock Ignacio Fernandez-Lobbe will add Argentine beef to a pack that already includes Chris Jones.

And Tongan scrum-half Sililo Martens could form an impressive half-back partnership with England fly-half Charlie Hodgson.

INS: Sebastien Chabal (Bourgoin), Ignacio Fernandez-Lobbe (Castres), Sebastien Bruno (Beziers), Trevor Woodman, Robert Todd (both Gloucester), Sililo Martens (Celtic Warriors), Josh Taumalolo (Harlequins), John Payne (Tonga).

OUT: Alex Sanderson, Iain Fullarton, Matt Cairns, Kevin Yates, Dan Harris (all Saracens), Nick Walshe (Bath), Vaughan Going (Beziers).

CAPTAIN: Hugh Vyvyan LAST YEAR:10th PREDICTION: 7th

After years of splashing the cash with scant reward, Saracens look to have finally recruited players capable of doing the job.

Hugh Vyvyan, Dan Scarbrough and Alex Sanderson are among the brightest talents in English rugby.

And players of the calibre of Richard Hill and Australian Mark Bartholomuesz, ensures an impressive line-up at Vicarage Road this term.

Expect the Londoners to target a top six place.

IN: Dan Scarbrough (Leeds), Hugh Vyvyan (Newcastle), Mark Bartholomuesz (ACT Brumbies), Glen Jackson (Waikato Chiefs), Moses Rauluni (Brisbane Easts), Alex Sanderson, Iain Fullarton, Matt Cairns, Kevin Yates, Dan Harris, Andy Kyriacou, Joe Bedford (all Sale Sharks), Nick Lloyd (Rotherham), Pila Fifita (North Otago), Tevita Vaikona (Bradford Bulls RL).

OUT: Robbie Russell (London Irish), James Parkes (Gloucester), Steven Sparks (Worcester), Nathan McAvoy (Salford RL), Adryan Winnan (Tarbes), Ben Russell (Northampton), Tony Roques (London Irish), Darragh O'Mahony, Johnny Marsters, Ryan Peacey, Dan Kirton, Joe Ross, Daniel Legge (all released), Emiliano Bergamaschi (Rosario, Argentina), Craig Yandell (retired).

CAPTAIN: Lawrence Dallaglio LAST YEAR: 2nd HONOURS: Zurich Champ/ Heineken Cup PREDICTION: 2nd

The Heineken Cup champions will again be fighting it out at the top of the league, but whether they can defend their title remains to be seen.

The departure of club stalwarts Paul Volley and Mark Denney is a minor blow.

But with a star-studded squad that includes a host of international stars, Wasps will trouble most of their rivals this season.

Perhaps the most intriguing battle will be at scrum-half between Rob Howley and former Saints favourite, Matt Dawson.

IN: Matt Dawson, James Brooks (both Northampton), Rob Hoadley (London Irish), Matt Priscott (Waikato), Ed Thrower (London Irish), Henry Nwume (Oxford University).

OUT: Paul Volley, Mark Denney (both Castres), Kenny Logan (Glasgow), John Rudd (Northampton), Shane Roiser (released).

CAPTAIN: Ben Hinshelwood LAST YEAR: Promoted PREDICTION: 12th

Worcester have finally won promotion but face a tough proposition to stay in the top flight.

In Cecil Duckworth they have a backer willing to dig deep for his club, but they still look set to be fighting it out at the bottom come next April.

Duckworth's chequebook has had a busy summer, with a host of new names making their way to the club.

England Sevens specialist Ben Gollings and former Gloucester winger Thinus Delport will hope to make their mark.

INS: Clive Stuart-Smith (Leeds), Pat Sanderson (Harlequins), Thomas Lombard (Stade Francais), Thinus Delport (Gloucester), Tom Bowman (New South Wales), Chris Horsman (Celtic Warriors), Leon Greef, Brad McLeod-Henderson (both Rotherham), Steven Sparks (Saracens), Ben Gollings (Newcastle), Dale Rasmussen, Siaosi Vaili (both Exeter), Andre van Niekerk (Golden Lions).