Last Season

Newly promoted a year ago, Leeds were not expected to be lining up for a second season in the Premiership this time round.

And although they ultimately owed their survival to Rotherham's failure to fulfill off-field criteria for top flight admission, they frightened a few bigger names along the way.

Under Phil Davies, Leeds were anything but cannon-fodder, providing a match for anyone up front and taking the scalp of Leicester on the champions' visit to Headingley.

However, on the road, a lack of top level experience counted against them, and they also struggled to turn possession into points in the backs.

Ins and Outs

Davies' first priority this summer was to address Leeds' try-scoring problems, which he has done on and off the field.

All-action Argentine wing Diego Albanese arrives from Gloucester and former Samoa strongman George Harder checks in from Auckland.

And former Bath coach Jon Callard has been brought in to co-ordinate their efforts as backs coach.

Davies has also moved to bolster his forward resources, acquiring Bath and England hooker Mark Regan to serve young lock Tom Palmer in the lineout.

17-cap Scottish lock Stewart Campbell will provide Regan with an alternative target, while Scotland A stand-off Gordon Ross and Irish pivot Derek Hegarty offer options in the half-backs.

Rising stars

Tom Palmer

Capped on England's tour of North America last year, 23-year-old lock Palmer made a big impact in his first Premiership season.

He missed the last two months of the campaign after breaking a leg on England A duty but has since signed a new three-year deal with the Tykes.

The club's young player of the year twice in succession, Palmer is strong and athletic and a genuine prospect for further international honours in the future.

Dan Scarbrough

Bradford-born full-back/wing Scarbrough first came to Leeds' attention while playing under Davies in the English National Divisions side that beat South Africa two years ago.

He duly moved from Wakefield to Headingley and burst onto the Premiership scene in style last season.

The 24-year-old topped the league's try-scoring charts, made the England Sevens side and was selected for the senior squad to face the Barbarians before having to withdraw through injury.

Premiership defences will be more aware of his threat this year, but Scarbrough posesses the raw pace to worry the meanest of defences.

Prediction

While fellow cellar-dwellers Harlequins, Saracens and Bath talk of re-establishing themselves in the top half, Leeds have set their sights a little lower - 11th out of 12 will do nicely.

On the positive side, the Tykes are a season older and wiser, have a competitive pack and will boast a sharpened cutting edge behind.

Against that, their rivals have also strengthened - and done so more eye-catchingly too.

Once more, Leeds will be no pushovers and will discomfort their supposed betters, particularly at Headingley.

But the likelihood again is that they will miss their target finishing position by just one place.