Saracens are still smarting from losing their grip on the Premiership trophy last year after narrowly falling to Exeter in the semi-finals and they clearly want the trophy back next May.
Having won in both 2015 and 2016 they finished third in the regular season but could not get past a Chiefs side that went on to down Wasps in the final.
It seems as though Wasps have been unable to lift themselves in the early part of the campaign and are down among the also-rans, but Sarries are siting pretty at the top of the standings after seven games.
They are favourites to win the Premiership ahead of Exeter, and punters who fancy a bet on the title race should check out Bethut for all the best sites and offers available.
Losing Chris Ashton to Toulon was a blow but Mark McCall brought in Wales star Liam Williams who has hit the ground running with five tries to his name.
Christopher Tolofua, Will Skelton and Dominic Day were also signed and the Fez Boys look ominously strong for a title challenge.
Exeter are certainly not rolling over in their title defence and are right on Saracens’ coattails.
Rob Baxter’s men appear determined to prove that last season’s glory was no flash in the pan and they brought in former Australia scrum-half Nic White to add some class to the half-backs while England flanker Matt Kvesic signed from Gloucester.
Having finished last season level with table-topping Wasps on 84 points and progressing through the play-offs by first downing Sarries and then beating Wasps after extra time at Twickenham, nobody can say that the Chiefs did not deserve to be crowned champions and they now have that experience to draw on.
Leicester Tigers always seem to be there or there abouts, with four consecutive semi-final appearances and can never be ruled out of the running to win the Premiership title.
They have not lifted the trophy since the 2012-13 campaign but have made a solid start and are still in the thick of proceedings.
There is no questioning the strength and talent in the Tigers’ back line, with the likes of Ben Youngs, George Ford, Jonny May, Manu Tuilaga and Telusa Veainu a devastating combination behind the forwards.
But it is the pack that is of concern and it is open to debate whether they have the strength up front for a sustained title push – especially when the pitches start to get heavier in mid-winter.
A lack of tries and hence bonus points is holding them back at present and it remains to be seen if that is something the East Midlanders can address as the campaign unfolds.
It is a congested table at the moment, with nothing to separate Bath, Harlequins, Northampton and Newcastle in the middle but it would be a surprise if any of the quartet were able to bridge the gap to the top teams.
Saracens have the early momentum and, despite losing to Bath in week two, are surely the team to beat this season if they can cope with the loss of so many players when the internationals come around.
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