Crouch, touch ... engage | UK Premiership old boys offer tips from the top

With the kick-off of Hong Kong's own domestic rugby competition still a few weeks away, rugby fans will be eagerly awaiting this weekend's opening fixtures of England's Aviva Premiership and the newly branded Celtic league the Guinness Pro12. With our local clubs increasingly boasting veterans of these competitions, I thought I'd get the inside scoop and some predictions from those in the know...

First up, James "Jimbob" Brooks, now Kowloon Rugby Club's head coach, but previously a sparkling star of Northampton's back line, as well as an England Sevens regular. "It's got to be my old club Northampton to retain the Aviva Premiership," according to a confident Jimbob.

"They've put together a strong squad and with one of the best Stadium's and fan bases in the country the Saints will be back where they belong - top of the pile! I think Leinster will add to their Celtic titles by lifting the Guinness Pro12, and for the new Heineken European Champions Cup my pick is Clermont."

HKCC's new club coaching officer, ex-Scarlets and Fijian prop Deacon Manu, also sees silverware on the horizon for Northampton, but he predicts they'll find the silverware on the European stage.

"I think Saracens will get their revenge in the Premiership this time, and lift the domestic cup, but I have a sneaky feeling when it comes to the European competition it will be the green and black ribbons of the Saints wrapped around the trophy."

The grizzled front rower agrees with his lightweight colleague on who is destined for Celtic glory however, "Leinster for sure. I hope my old club the Scarlets can make the top four, but I think with a smaller budget and lack of player depth they'll struggle against the Irish big boys in the end."