The 2025-26 Premiership Rugby season is set to begin, with 18 rounds of matches scheduled from now until early next June. The season comes just over a year before the Rugby World Cup, which will be a major focus for teams and players alike. As the new season approaches, BBC Sport commentators and rugby analysts from across England are closely examining what each club might achieve. Bath, who finished second in the 2025-26 season and reached the play-offs, are expected to remain competitive despite losing key players like prop Thomas du Toit and back-rower Alfie Barbeary. To bolster their squad, they have signed South African number eight Dan du Preez and Scotland prop Jamie Bhatti. Scotland forward Josh Bayliss is also being highlighted as a player who could have a significant impact despite not receiving much attention. Bristol Bears, under Pat Lam’s 10th season in charge, are aiming to return to the top four. A concern from last season was their lack of tries, but the return of Wales and British and Irish Lions winger Louis Rees-Zammit, along with the development of prop George Kloska, is expected to improve their attacking performance. However, the team still faces challenges in squad depth, particularly in the front five and at fly-half. Exeter, who finished third in the 2025-26 season and were runners-up, lost relatively few key players, with Australia center Len Ikitau replaced by former All Black Dallas McLeod. Their attacking weapons include England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Prem’s leading points scorer Henry Slade, and number eight Greg Fisilau. Off the field, Exeter has been taken over by AFC Bournemouth's owners, Black Knight, sparking hopes among fans of a return to past successes.