The seven Prem Rugby stars rival coaches fear to face, in their own words

With the 2025-26 Premiership Rugby season set to begin, rival coaches named the seven players they fear facing the most, a mix of established international stars and timely signings who could shape the title race. The season starts with Sale Sharks hosting Gloucester on Thursday, a night that will test defenses and set the tone for the campaign ahead.

George Ford, who plies his trade for Sale Sharks and England, drew early praise from Bath head coach Johann van Graan. “George Ford had a phenomenal year with England. He’s a player I’ve always respected. He’s an ex-Bath player, but that’s long into the past,” van Graan said. Leicester Tigers’ James Skivington added that Ford’s consistency and vision make him a difficult matchup, underscoring how a veteran No. 10 can control tempo and space at the highest level.

Len Ikitau, the Australia centre recently linked with Exeter Chiefs, drew attention from Bristol Bears director Pat Lam. “A good Pacific Islander. I’m looking forward to seeing him. I just hope he doesn’t perform too well against the Bears!” Lam said. Gloucester’s Len Ikitau’s arrival has been described by James Skivington as a player whose power, distribution, and footwork suit the increasingly attacking Prem. Skivington noted that Ikitau’s signing could signal a shift toward more expansive rugby in the league, a trend coaches say favors players who can move and offload with pace.

Thomas du Toit, Bath prop and Springbok, was highlighted by Rob Baxter, Exeter Chiefs director of rugby. “He always plays well. He’s a guy who can make things go very well around him,” Baxter said. The tighthead’s combination of power and mobility, Baxter suggested, can help teams manage the heavy workload in the scrum and open channels for key ball-carriers. Du Toit’s arrival has become part of a trend of South African-born forwards bringing ballast and precision to Prem packs.

Owen Farrell, Saracens and England fly-half, has drawn attention from several rivals as he returns to the Premiership after a season in France. Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore said, “I’ve always really respected Owen Farrell from afar. I love my rugby league, grew up playing it, and his dad Andy was a great of the game. Owen’s cut from the same cloth. He’s aggressive, physical, sets good standards and I’m really keen to come up against him.” Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson added: “I’m looking forward to seeing Faz back in the Prem and what impact he has. Shaking it up again. Never one for dipping his toe in, is he? We’ll see how Sarries go with him.” Farrell’s return has many clubs eyeing their preparation plans, knowing his combativeness and leadership can influence both attacking structures and defensive organization.

Fin Smith, Northampton Saints and England fly-half, also drew praise from Newcastle Red Bulls director of rugby Steve Diamond. “We had Fin as a kid at Worcester. He’s done really well. Been on a Lions tour. He didn’t play much in the big games but I think he’ll be a revelation,” Diamond said. Smith’s versatility and experience—potentially lining up at fly-half or shifting to No. 12—could give Saints an edge as they seek to rebound from a difficult campaign. Diamond’s remarks hint at a broader strategy among clubs to test Smith’s adaptability in high-stakes fixtures as the league intensifies.

Christian Wade, Newcastle Red Bulls wing and former Premiership try-scoring record holder, was backed by Northampton Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson. “Christian's a top man. I played with him a few times and I always like watching him play. He’s decent on the astro so he’ll go well,” Dowson said. Wade returned to England after a stint in rugby league and carries a reputation for pace and opportunism. If match fitness and cohesion hold, his finish could light up Kingston Park and lift Newcastle’s ambitions as they push for a top-six finish.

James O’Connor, Leicester Tigers and Australia fly-half, has generated discussions among rival coaches about his late-career resurgence. Mark McCall, Saracens director of rugby, noted: “He’s obviously been around, playing for Sale. At one point in time, we had a conversation about him coming to Saracens, when he was a bit younger, which never materialised. He’s a person who’s got better and more mature with time. You can see that experience.” O’Connor’s leadership and touch-timing have impressed coaches who see him as a stabilizing force capable of elevating Leicester’s tactical clarity and execution. While some questioned his age, others emphasized the value of his knowledge of different rugby environments as the league seeks to balance youth with proven know-how.

The compilation of seven players, drawn from seven clubs, reflects a broader window of arrivals and developments as the Premiership unfolds. The participants in this cross-club dialogue include several veterans whose influence extends beyond their own performances. Their coaches speak of a mix of physical power, distribution, and strategic awareness that can tilt tight matches and shape the course of a season that promises to be closely contested.

As the season opens, the Premiership’s schedule will test these stars’ ability to adapt to a league that remains intensely physical but increasingly unlocks attacking possibilities. The opening fixture on Thursday night pits Sale Sharks against Gloucester, and fans will be watching not only for the result but for how these players and their opponents perform under pressure.

The narrative surrounding Thursday’s kickoff includes an industry-wide reminder that peak viewing slots and midweek scheduling remain a topic for broadcasters. TNT Sports executives noted that Friday, Saturday, and Sunday remain the preferred windows for large audiences, even as Thursday fixtures continue to offer opportunities to engage a broader audience during the early-season buzz. Scott Young, executive vice president of Discovery Sports Europe, said the league would continue to assess the balance between tradition and experimentation as it expands its footprint across the calendar.

Beyond the field, the notes also point to cross-code ambitions in rugby, with coaches eyeing talent from Australia’s NRL and other sports. Names such as Herbie Farnworth and Mark Nawaqanitawase have surfaced in recruitment chatter as clubs weigh potential code-switch opportunities. The dialogue around cross-code moves underscores the Premiership’s ongoing appeal to players seeking new challenges and coaches looking to diversify their attacking arsenals.

As the season unfolds, teams will test not only their immediate tactical plans but also the long-term implications of these marquee signings. The seven stars cited by rival coaches—Ford, Ikitau, du Toit, Farrell, Smith, Wade, and O’Connor—sit at the heart of a Premiership that remains highly competitive and increasingly strategic, with clubs balancing experience, youth, and adaptability in pursuit of silverware.