Top Transfers in the Aviva Premiership

Jimmy Cowan is just one of the new exciting signings appearing in the Aviva Premiership in 2012/13

Bath

Horacio Agulla- the former Leicester winger may have been upstaged on a regular basis by Alesana Tuilagi, but the Argentine winger knows his way to the try-line and can create plenty of opportunities for the rest of his team. The 34 time capped speedster will also give young Tom Biggs a guiding hand over the next couple of seasons.

Exeter

Dean Mumm- the Sydney born lock/flanker will add a significant amount of international experience with his 33 caps for the Wallabies. The former Waratahs forward is just coming in to his prime according to Rob Baxter which can only be a good thing for the Chiefs. Mumm is an athletic line-out forward and will add plenty of bulk to the Exeter pack.

Gloucester

It has been a summer of change at Kingsholm, the Cherry and Whites have a new Director of Rugby in Nigel Davies, Paddy Anson as their new conditioning coach, Mike Tindall as their new backs coach and several key signings. Davies will be hoping he can turn the West Country side’s fortunes around this season. New signings Ben Morgan, Billy Twelvetrees, Drew Locke and latest recruit Rob Cook will look to become Shed favourites. However, one signing stands out:

Jimmy Cowan- the World Cup winner with the All Blacks is a smart move by Gloucester, the 50 time-capped scrum-half will provide more stability and leadership at half-back. His influence will be vital in the development of youngsters Freddie Burns, Jonny May and Charlie Sharples among others.

Harlequins

The Aviva Premiership Champions from last seasons have not recruited many new players, adding to the old saying ‘if it aint broke, don’t fix it’. The only additions are Dave Ward (hooker) and Ben Botica (fly-half). Botica turned out for North Harbour in New Zealand last season; the 22-year-old is a reliable goal-kicker and will be an eager understudy to fellow kiwi Nick Evans.

Leicester

Miles Benjamin- with the departure of Alesana Tuilagi to Japan, the Midlands club had big shoes to fill; it looks like they have filled those with an outstanding signature. Benjamin has worked wonders at Worcester scoring 60 tries, however, he felt it was time to move on and chase a future with England rugby.  The strong winger has represented his country at U19, U20 and at England Saxon level and has a bright future ahead of him having signed for the powerhouse of English rugby at the start of his peak at just 24 years old.

London Irish

Tomas O’Leary- the former Munster scrum-half will be a more than adequate replacement for Paul Hodgson. At Munster, O’Leary was a vital contributor to the Heineken Cup championship victories in 2005/06 and 2007/08 seasons. His speed to the breakdown and snappy passing combined with his accurate kicking game will give Irish the push they need to break in to the top-six this season.

London Welsh

Premiership new boys London Welsh have made several smart signings in a bid to keep them in the top league of domestic rugby this season. Sonny Parker, Barry Davies and the highly experienced Tom Voyce are amongst the new members in the squad. However, one name for many reasons has been through the back pages of the national newspapers more than others:

Gavin Henson- the former Ospreys utility back has had a mercurial career of late, one minute he was dancing on reality TV, the next, moving from club to club causing trouble. Off-field matters aside, if Henson can get back to anywhere near the kind of form he found for Wales in their Grand Slam years of 2005 and 2008, London Welsh will be able to call on a fantastic tackler, reliable goal-kicker and magnificent passer of the ball. Henson could well prove the difference between Premiership survival or bouncing back down to the Championship after a disappointing season. It is now up to him now to decide if he will take rugby seriously again.

Northampton

Dominic Waldouck- the ex-Wasp was a late addition to Jim Mallinder’s squad after a last-minute decision to move on from the struggling London side. The very talented centre reportedly played at youth level for Fulham FC and was a member of South-England’s U16 cricket XI. Waldouck has one Premiership title under his belt and will be chasing another at Franklin’s Gardens this season. At only 24, Waldouck will hope for some good performances at his new club to impress Stuart Lancaster and force his way into the England coach’s plans for the World Cup in 2015.

Sale

The Sharks are another side who have gone through dramatic changes in the off-season, they have moved in to a new home, sharing a stadium with the Salford Reds and they have a new Director of Rugby in Bryan Redpath who controversially jumped ship from Gloucester at the end of last season. The Sharks have recruited well and are reportedly on the hunt for another centre. The mercurial Danny Cipriani also moves back to England after his stint with the Melbourne Rebels.

Richie Gray- is the standout signing for Sale this season, at just 22 years of age, the towering second row has already won 24 caps for Scotland. The 6”10 forward is a valuable asset in the line-out and his dynamism in the loose is outstanding. Gray has a bright future for both club and country and it will be fascinating to see how he fits in to Redpath’s side.

Saracens

Chris Ashton- the England man has not been on form recently, however, the former Northampton flier will hope a change of scenery will see him crossing the whitewash many times this season. The ex-rugby league star scored an impressive 92 tries for the Saints in his time at Franklin’s Gardens, to replicate that scoring record, Saracens will have to start playing a more expansive game of rugby. Ashton will need to work hard off the ball and come off his wing in order to see more of the ball with his new club.

Wasps

Despite their financial troubles, Wasps have made several interesting signings. James Haskell returns to his former club, Welsh veteran Stephen Jones joins Dai Young’s ranks and James Bailey returns to England after his adventures across the channel with Lyon.

Andrea Masi- the centre/fly-half/full-back has represented Italy at two World Cups and in 2011 he was voted the RBS Six Nations player of the tournament after scoring a try in Italy’s famous 22-21 win over France. Masi is a more than capable replacement for Dominic Waldouck who has left the club in order to pursue a career at Northampton. Masi is a versatile back with plenty of experience and is a useful signing for the London side.

Worcester

David Lemi- with try-scoring machine Miles Benjamin having left Sixways, Worcester has found a short-term replacement in Lemi. The 30 year-old was outstanding at Bristol, he scored 47 tries in 81 matches. The Samoan international knows his way to the try line and is a difficult player to bring down due to his impressive footwork. Whilst Worcester has lost the next great young thing in Benjamin, they have signed a master of try-scoring in the Samoan speed merchant.

Have you got any thoughts or comments on your side’s latest signings? Who do you think will make the biggest impact in the Aviva Premiership this season? Comment below or message/follow me on twitter @tommyd91