While all eyes have been firmly fixed on the Rugby World Cup over the past couple of months, the Guinness Premiership has been racing through the gears.
Gloucester set the early tone with a five try haul from ex Bradford Bulls star Lesley "the volcano" Vainikolo, closely followed with a win away at Leicester.
Still unbeaten the young squad with the likes of Ryan Lamb and Anthony Allen at the fore will surely be top of the tree come May.
Oh and don't forget they have Chris Patterson, the leading International goal kicker and Jeremy Paul, former Wallabies hooker, still to make their debut against London Irish on Sunday.
Elsewhere, the end of a World Cup always signals an exodus of Southern Hemisphere talent around the country, and this year is no different.
Luke McAlister, was arguably the one man to eclipse Dan Carter in the All Blacks team in France (and Wales), and his game is sure to bring more smiles to the Edgeley Park faithful up at Sale. Rory Lamont, another promising signing by Saint-Andre, continued his impressive World Cup form for Scotland with a try scoring debut for the Sharks in a win over Saracens last night.
Boks and All Blacks
Chris Jack, although nearing the end of an illustrious career, will still attract crowds at Saracens, even if just to rib him over getting knocked out by France again.
Carl Hayman regarded as the best tight-head prop in world rugby, will add some much needed steel and nouse to the Newcastle front row, while Springboks Butch James(World Cup runner up 2007) and Michael Claasens will offer that extra bit of class down at Bath.
Aaron Mauger is another silver fern on his way over, and could form an exciting centre partnership with England hopeful Dan Hipkiss in the Tigers midfield.
Also All Blacks star Rico Gear, along with fellow Kiwis Greg Rawlinson and Sam Tuitupou have been lured to Worcester by Mike Ruddock to form a squad which should now avoid the dreaded drop to League One.
These are just the pick of the signings, and there will no doubt be a number of new names popping up who could feature in a new look England squad come the Six Nations. All in all the Guinness Premiership is set for an exciting year, and once teams have full squads again, it will really hit top gear.
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