Exclusive: Finn Russell has Bath dreaming of 'glory days' in 'most competitive' Premiership rugby season - Ugo Monye

Bath’s signing of “one of the world’s best players“ Finn Russell will raise hopes of a return to the “glory days of old”, says Ugo Monye, who is expecting the most competitive Gallagher Premiership season ever.

The 2023/24 Premiership Rugby season kicks off this weekend live on TNT Sports, starting with Leicester Tigers’ trip to Bristol Bears on Friday night.

Former England wing and TNT Sports expert Monye believes that six-time Premiership champions Bath, who last claimed the English crown in 1995/96, have reason to be hopeful heading into the new campaign following their marquee capture of Scotland’s creative wizard Russell.

“He’s a massive signing for the league, he’s one of the world’s best players,” Monye said in an exclusive interview with TNT Sports.

“It’s not just his skill but it’s the level of excitement and his outlook on how rugby should be played.

“Whether you support Bath or not, you would tune in to watch Finn Russell or you’d pay to go and watch him. He attracts and grabs that amount of attention purely because of how good a player he is.

“I’m thrilled to see him in the league, I can’t wait to go and watch him at the Rec, one of the best venues to watch rugby in the Gallagher Premiership. I think it’s a seal of approval from another world-class player that wants to test himself and play in the Premiership.”

Monye added: “Bringing Russell into the mix, one of the world’s best fly-halves, and the chances that’s going to push for Bath to be competitive and get back to the glory days of old, it’s wonderful to see.”

Bath begin their campaign at home to Newcastle on Saturday, while Gloucester host Harlequins and defending champions Saracens travel to Exeter, live on TNT Sports 1.

Sunday’s live game on TNT Sports will see Northampton travel to last season’s runners-up Sale, and Monye is eager to see one of the Saints’ new signings in action too.

“I’m excited about Tom Pearson at Northampton,” Monye said.

“He was young player of the season last year; he’s got a big year ahead of him. Having watched him over pre-season he’s been in dominant form.

“I watched him at the weekend against Doncaster and yes, he’ll have stiffer challenges, but he’s an excellent player.”

Saracens are many people's favourites to reclaim the title they won by beating Sale 35-25 in a thrilling Twickenham final in May, and England World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio told TNT Sports that they remain the “team to beat” this season.

Mark McCall’s side have come out on top in five of the last nine Premiership seasons and although they remain a formidable force, a run of four different champions in the last four years, impressive recruitment across the league and a longer pre-season lead Monye to believe the season ahead could be tighter than ever.

“Before a ball has been kicked, you’ve got to say that Saracens are the team to beat,” Monye said.

“They have been the standard-bearer over the last decade or so and knowing the type of quality they’ve got to come back; they are a world-class team.

“Sale Sharks, what they are creating and the momentum they have built in the last couple of years, they will be desperately hungry.

“With this extended pre-season it’s been a good opportunity for teams to delve a bit deeper, create structures and systems, and have more time as a collective to be able to develop game plans and fitness, to be durable enough and robust enough for this season.

“In many ways the longer off-season has created perhaps a more level playing field for everyone across it.

“I’m expecting to see the most competitive season we’ve ever seen.”

The league has been reduced to 10 teams this season following the expulsion of Wasps, Worcester Warriors and London Irish in a torrid year for domestic rugby off the pitch.

There have subsequently been some changes to the league’s format, including a break while the Six Nations takes place in February and March, a promotion/relegation playoff at the end of the season and a ‘Derby Weekend’ where all five fixtures will be between rivals in Round 6 on November 17-19.

Monye is optimistic that the changes can help make the league better than ever as a spectacle for supporters.

“Fans at home and in the stadiums get to see more of their internationals this year than in any other year, because this season will almost pause and won’t compete against the Six Nations,” he said.

“It’s great to see more internationals playing in club colours.”

He added: “I think it can be the most competitive season we’ve ever had. I think the level of excitement on the back of the Rugby World Cup will be brilliant and I hope that casual fans that have watched the World Cup or travelled to France go and support their clubs.

“There are so many big fixtures and rivalries, we’ve got Derby Weekend in Round 6 which is just fantastic, to be able to talk about the stories, the rivalries of the individuals, the history of the clubs that really matter, that are part of the fabric of rugby in this country.”

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