A star stubbed Premiership is bound to shine again
A star stubbed Premiership is bound to shine again

Gallagher Premiership: Five players to watch and their Top Try scorer odds


The new Gallagher Premiership season begins next week, with a host of world stars plying their trade in English rugby union's top flight.

So, we pick out five players capable of creating magic moments out of nothing, turning a game in their favour in a blink of an eye, and basically having the ability to light up the league.

Charles Piutau (Bristol)

Charles Piutau joined Bristol from Ulster
Charles Piutau joined Bristol from Ulster

English rugby's first so-called £1million player - the speculated price tag put on New Zealand All Black Piutau following his move from Ulster to Bristol - has the potential to be box office material on the west country club's Premiership return.

Bristol have invested hugely in his talent, and he is unlikely to disappoint. A blistering strike-runner who offers options at full-back, centre or wing, his ability to carve up opposition defences is likely to be seen in all its glory.

He is 25/1 to be the Premiership's top try scorer.

Danny Cipriani (Gloucester)

Danny Cipriani must prove himself on the pitch after this off the field problems this summer
Danny Cipriani must prove himself on the pitch after this off the field problems this summer

One of English rugby's most talked-about players in the professional era, Cipriani ended a 10-year wait between Test match starts when he featured as fly-half for England in their third Test victory over South Africa two months ago. Off-field matters - not for the first time - have subsequently overshadowed his rugby.

Yet there can be little doubt that Gloucester have signed a player of rare ability who has a magical touch. Can he stir one of the English game's sleeping giants?

Dan Biggar (Northampton)

Dan Biggar is the latest Welsh star to move to England
Dan Biggar is the latest Welsh star to move to England

Fly-half Biggar has become the latest high-profile Wales international to head for Premiership action, following players like Liam Williams, Jamie Roberts, Taulupe Faletau and George North, who has now moved from Northampton to Biggar's former team the Ospreys.

Saints endured a dreadful time of it last term, but optimism is high of a revival under their new rugby director Chris Boyd, and Biggar - a clever tactician with strong game-management skills and a head for the big matches - is key to implementing the master-plan.

Chris Ashton (Sale)

Chris Aston will miss the opening six matches of the Premiership season
Chris Aston will miss the opening six matches of the Premiership season

Back in England after a record-breaking try-scoring stint with French club Toulon, Sale's new signing will have to wait for his return to action after being handed a seven week ban after being sent off in a pre-season friendly.

When available again, the winger will offer the Sharks added attacking bite, with his natural ability to sniff our tries through his searing pace and devastating attacking angles. Could be a star man for club and country this term.

Ashton is 25/1 with Sky Bet to be the Premiership's top try scorer.

Lima Sopoaga (Wasps)

Sopoaga has represented the mighty All Blacks
Sopoaga has represented the mighty All Blacks

Sopoaga arrives at the Ricoh Arena with an outstanding reputation forged on the playing fields of New Zealand. Capped 18 times by the All Blacks, he was an integral part of the Hurricanes' 2015 Super Rugby title-winning team, while he also helped them beat the British and Irish Lions last year.

A mercurial talent, he has the skills and tactical acumen from fly-half to offer Wasps an irresistible package, and they might just have made one of the signings of the season.

Sopoaga sits at 66/1 with Sky Bet to be the Premiership's top try scorer.

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