Guscott: The men key to their team’s fortunes – watch out for Schalk

By Jeremy Guscott
SARACENS remain the team to beat next year and while they have not gone crazy in the transfer market this summer, they have brought in quality players who will fit  the club ethos.
Considering they were out in front last year already, it could be ominous for the rest. Schalk Burger's arrival will add even more steel to the pack – as if they needed it – and the Springbok flanker is as uncompromising as they come.
While they have lost Namibian hard man Jacques Burger, his namesake Schalk should fit seamlessly into his  No.7 shirt. To have come back from life-threatening illness to take his place in the South African lineup at last year's World Cup is simply astounding. He's a huge competitor who knows a thing or two about hard graft and his move to Saracens looks a marriage made in heaven.
The other top name they've brought in is Sean Maitland as a utility back. Maitland is accomplished on the wing and at full-back and can cover outside-centre at a push. He lost his way somewhat in an underperforming London Irish side but prior to that move he showed how devastating he can be, especially at the Crusaders before joining Glasgow. He's a lovely balanced runner who, at his best, is exceptional.
Last year's beaten finalists Exeter have recruited well again with a couple more quality Aussies in Dave Dennis and Greg Holmes, plus the capture of Ollie Devoto from Bath. Arguably more important is the re-signing of their talented young crop of Englishmen. Adding Devoto to the midfield mix alongside Sam Hill and Henry Slade will give Rob Baxter options and Chiefs will be as strong as last season, if not stronger.
They are top dogs in the West Country at the moment and neither Bath nor Gloucester have been that prolific in the market to suggest that will change. Taulupe Faletau is a quality signing for Bath, and currently he's the best No.8 in the world in my book. He's still young, has been injury free, and I expect huge things from him. He's the type of player who will inspire those around him and, along with Luke Charteris, should ensure greater consistency in the pack.
Charteris has just come off the back of a Top 14 championship-winning season with Racing 92 and that mentality will be infectious.
Matt Scott is an exciting addition for Gloucester and it's important they develop a regular midfield partnership like they had of old. Scott is a great signing in that respect. He's a young, solid, skilful centre with international pedigree and could be the glue in that backline. Whether their pack can kick on another step and provide decent ball is another matter, with  little stardust added up front.
Bristol will be looking for Premiership survival in their first season up and for them to upset the West Country pecking order would be some achievement. Andy Robinson has brought in some vastly experienced guys in Jordan Crane and Soane Tonga'uiha, and they have a decent chance of staying up if big names such as Gavin Henson and Tom Varndell hit form.
Where Exeter's strength will be sticking to the plan and nurturing their young talent, Leicester's signings show they are continuing their metamorphism under Aaron Mauger. Wallaby playmaker Matt Toomua is a huge signing for them and has shown he can mix the physical with the skilful in his time for the Brumbies and Australia. Bringing in a young international at the peak of his powers is a huge statement from Leicester, and they'll be expecting a lot more from him than they got from Jean de Villiers. JP Pietersen is another exciting addition and should benefit from playing outside Toomua.
Northampton went off the boil badly last season by their own standards and a lot of emphasis will be on new  signing  Louis Picamoles to arrest that slide.
The France No.8 is a world-beater on his day and Saints need him in that mindset from the off. Samu Manoa's departure hit Saints harder than anticipated and Picamoles must assume that talisman mantle if they are to break back into the top four.
Sale continue to prove me wrong year on year and it's anyone's guess where they will finish again this season. They make the league so exciting by pulling off shock wins when we least expect it, plus now they've made the AJ Bell a pretty formidable place to go.
Steve Diamond remains coy over Kyle Eastmond's proposed move and should the ex-Bath centre end up there it will be a huge signing for the club. Mike Phillips may be past his best but the Welsh No.9 remains a fiercely competitive animal and he will want to make a statement in the Premiership.
Much may depend on how new fly-half AJ McGinty goes. Danny Cipriani has pulled the strings in fine fashion over the past few seasons and how they cope with his departure could be key.
Wasps, too, have some big boots to fill following the loss of Charles Piutau and George Smith. Both were sublime throughout last season and their winning psychology seemed to rub off on others around them. While Kurtley Beale is a different player to Piutau, he has outrageous skills that could be devastating if utilised in tandem with Cipriani. It's a shame Beale will miss the opening few months with injury and it will be interesting to see how he does in the winter months.
Tommy Taylor from Sale is another good signing by Dai Young. The young England Saxons hooker impressed on duty in South Africa and should help tighten up the set piece which was a bit hit and miss last season with Ashley Johnson often wearing the No.2 shirt.
Cipriani could be their most important signing. He's been steadily building himself back up over the last few years and I've been impressed with his skillset and improved willingness to tackle. But I'm still waiting to see the consistently dominant performances that came before that horror ankle injury in 2008.
Behind that Wasps pack he will be given the platform to showcase his skills and the real battle may well be off the field. If he can maintain a calm, happy private life it will help him hit the heights we know he is capable of.
Quins have done very little business after last summer's activity which saw James Horwill, Jamie Roberts and Adam Jones come on board. Ruaridh Jackson is a tidy signing to cover Nick Evans.
Newcastle and Worcester have also been rather quiet. Newcastle boss Dean Richards has shrewdly acquired Vereniki Goneva from Leicester to add some experience to the back division while a lot rests on the shoulders of  Worcester's big recruit Ben Te'o.
With no World Cup distractions, teams have a long pre-season to get the new faces settled in and I'm excited to see how fast the Southern Hemisphere recruits adapt after their Rugby Championship.
Wholesale changes rarely work – but one or two key men can alter a team's dynamic. I'm hoping Faletau can do that for Bath.