Ahead of the first PRO14 season we preview the teams keen to get their hands on the trophy, starting with the seven sides in Conference A.

OSPREYS

Head coach: Steve Tandy

Last season: 4th

The Swansea-based outfit enjoyed a marked improvement on the previous year’s eighth-placed finish as they returned to the play-off picture in 2017. A 13 match unbeaten run between November and February had fans believing, but subsequent defeats to Munster, Leinster and Scarlets during the business end of the season insinuated they weren’t title contenders.

They floundered in their semi-final against Munster at Thomond Park as their season ended disappointingly. Despite that, the arrival of former favourite James Hook and compatriot Cory Allen will add further depth to an already impressive backs division.

The continued emergence of fly-half Sam Davies in Dan Biggar’s absence has fans calling for the 23-year-old to leapfrog the Welsh 10 in the pecking order. Elsewhere the dynamism of Rhys Webb gives the Ospreys a constant threat from nine.

Player to Watch: Young Sam Davies looks set to provide Dan Biggar with his sternest test yet to remain in possession of his 10 shirt. Some have even gone as far to suggest he could oust Biggar in a Wales jersey. His game management and variety sets him apart from Biggar’s more physical approach and could be the catalyst for Wales’s change in style.

CARDIFF BLUES

Head coach: Danny Wilson

Last season: 7th

It’s hard to gauge whether Cardiff Blues made any improvements in Danny Wilson’s second term in charge. They finished in the same position as the previous year and collated the same amount of wins.

If the stats are anything to go by they conceded more tries whilst scoring less which would suggest a slight downgrade on the previous year. They won just two of their eight fixtures against the play-off sides, leading to suggestions there was a clear gulf in class.

They did pick up a memorable victory on the road at Munster early in the season but struggled from then on. Wales coach Shaun Edwards has come in on a consultancy basis and the Blues will hope he can impart his wisdom on them.

They will hope to reinvigorate the likes of Alex Cuthbert and Lloyd Williams who have failed to deliver their best form in recent years whilst getting Sam Warburton on the field as much as possible can only help their cause.

Player to Watch: Lions captain for a second time, Sam Warburton will hope to play more frequently this term when available. His ability at the ruck is amongst the best around and his tireless work rate is integral in defence. Fresh off of a successful summer down in New Zealand, Warburton’s presence is as infectious as any when available and Cardiff Blues will look to utilise that.

MUNSTER

Head coach: Rassie Erasmus (until December)

Last season: 1st (runners-up)

An impressive and productive year failed to yield any silverware for Munster but they have certainly set themselves up for the future. The only negative for Munster currently is the uncertainty surrounding their coaches with Rassie Erasmus and defence coach Jacques Nienaber both returning home to South Africa this winter.

A humiliating defeat to Scarlets in last year’s final failed to reflect the sides quality throughout the year. The tragic passing of Axel Foley proved to be the catalyst for the reincarnation of Munster.

The rise to prominence of several young players alongside stalwarts like Conor Murray, Peter O’Mahony and Simon Zebo saw Munster lose just three regular season games. The return of JJ Hanrahan, once heralded as the best fly-half since Ronan O’Gara to come through the academy, after two years away at Northampton Saints brings yet more optimism.

Player to Watch: Conor Murray proved throughout last season, and this summer with the Lions, that he is a class act. Seen by many as the best nine in the northern hemisphere; Murray’s game management is as superb as is his kicking game which is so integral to everything Munster try to implement.

CONNACHT

Head coach: Kieran Keane

Last season: 8th

It’s the end of an era as Pat Lam departs for pastures new but his achievements will live long in the memory of those in Galway. Kieran Keane assumes the number one role and will hope to build on last season’s positives.

Victories over both Toulouse and Wasps in Europe proved Connacht still have a taste for the big occasion. They failed to muster anything like a meaningful defence of their crown last year but that’s not to say they won’t have another crack this season. The windy conditions at the Sportsground provide a unique atmosphere for travelling teams and Connacht need to make their home stadium a fortress for visiting sides.

Full-back Tiernan O’Halloran impressed on tour with Ireland this summer whilst teammate Kieran Marmion proved against England in the Six Nations just what an aptitude he has for the big occasion. They will be supported by the ever dependable Bundee Aki who continues to produced brilliance in the west of Ireland.

Player to Watch: Despite Conor Murray’s tight grip on Ireland’s nine jersey, young Kieran Marmion has shown that Joe Schmidt has an able deputy. Exceptionally quick around the fringes, Marmion will hope to build on last season and show a more mature side to his game that he will need against the league’s top sides.

GLASGOW WARRIORS

Head coach: Dave Rennie

Last season: 6th

The whole of Scotstoun was sad to see Gregor Townsend depart, even if it was to take the reigns of the national team. However the Glasgow hierarchy have produced a masterstroke in hiring Dave Rennie from the Chiefs.

An impressive CV reads two Super Rugby titles whilst overseeing the development of several New Zealand stars including Sam Cane and Brodie Retallick. The hope is that he can now improve the excellent crop of young players at his disposal, nurtured so brilliantly by Townsend.

Despite regressing down the table for the second consecutive season, Glasgow finally cracked the European scene by making the knockout phase for the first time. Many also believe that Scotland’s success at international level owes a lot to the set-up at Scotstoun with the Warriors consistently providing the vast majority of those who wear the international jersey.

Internationals Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell and Alex Dunbar have shone in recent years and they are now joined by summer recruit Huw Jones from South African outfit the Stormers. He will add yet more quality to a near all international back line. Jonny Gray continues to be Mr. Consistent in the second row and his line out expertise gives Glasgow the platform they need to play.

Player to Watch: Huw Jones returns to the country of his birth after several years away in South Africa where he was first spotted playing rugby at University. Whilst representing the Stormers and the Western Province he caught the attention of the Scotland selectors and a two try man-of-the-match performance against Australia last autumn was legitimisation of his talent.

ZEBRE

Head coach: Michael Bradley

Last season: 12th

The Italian outfit propped up the table once again after winning just there games across the course of the season. It was somewhat of a disappointing season for Zebre after finishing above Treviso the previous year.

It prompted a change of management in Parma with Irishman Michael Bradley assuming the role of Director or Rugby. His past experience at Edinburgh and Treviso will hopefully prove valuable in a now expanded league.

Somewhere near the top of his in tray at Zebre will be to sure up a defence that shipped an average of nearly five tries a game last term. Bradley will hope Conor O’Shea’s efforts to change the culture of Italian rugby begin to filter into the club game and rid Zebre of the whipping boy tag they have begun to develop.

Player to Watch: Especially prominent in Italy’s 2017 Six Nations campaign, winger Giovanbattista Venditti has continued to improve his game in a struggling side. He contributed several tries for a side who offered little in attack last season and will look to utilise his physicality to get over the whitewash more frequently this term.

CHEETAHS

Head coach: Rory Duncan

Last season: 13th (6th South African Conference)

The older of the two South African franchises to join the growing PRO14 league, the Cheetahs will hope for more success then they have enjoyed in recent years.

A sixth placed finish in 2013 remains their highest finish in Super Rugby and was the only year where they made the post season. 13 wins over the previous three years however has given the people of Bloemfontein little to shout about. They will hope the challenge for visiting teams of travelling to Africa can give them an advantage throughout the year, although they will have to be equally adaptable when visiting Europe.

Captain and centre Francois Venter will look to set the example while the electric Rosko Speckman and Sergeal Petersen can help provide a spark for incoming coach Rory Duncan who takes the top job.

Player to Watch: There is excitement galore in the outside backs of the Cheetahs and full-back Clayton Blommetjies is vital to their debut campaign in this competition. His precise kicking for touch puts his side in the right areas and with clinical wings either side, he can form a dangerous back three with whomever Duncan selects.

by Sam Meade