Return of relegation adds intrigue for Premiership as stats back Bath for glory | Robert Kitson

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A stiff opening six weeks for last year's losing finalists will test title mettle as Saracens start life without Owen Farrell

Accurately predicting the winner of the Premiership grows less simple by the year. The stats do not lie: in the past five years there have been five different champions of England and no one will be too shocked if that sequence stretches to six in June. Say what you like about the battle-scarred competition but it keeps everyone on their toes.

This time around it promises to be even more cut-throat, given there is now renewed scope for additional fun and games at the bottom of the ladder. Relegation – or at least a playoff – will be back in the mixer if the Championship's top team satisfy the slightly less draconian restrictions around stadium capacity. Assuming 5,000 fans can be accommodated with scope for further expansion in subsequent years the promised land is reachable once more.