Leicester Tigers looked set for a second successive play-off final when it all went wrong in the final weeks of last season.
They were primed for a top two finish after they routed rivals Northampton Saints and then ended a six-year wait for victory at Sale Sharks.
They had not lost a home league match for more than a year, but Exeter Chiefs took that record and the Tigers found themselves in Northampton for the play-offs.
Even with Billy Searle fit again at outside-half, Leicester fell well short but they can be expected to challenge again despite the loss of a number of experienced forwards,...