Readers back Tigers - poll

Leicester tipped to retain title

Last updated: 2nd September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Readers back Tigers - poll

On the move: Lewis Moody

Also see

Almost a third of skysports.com readers believe Leicester are capable of retaining the Aviva Premiership this season

The Tigers defeated Saracens in last year's final courtesy of Dan Hipkiss' try three minutes from time, but have lost a number of high-profile luminaries over the summer including Ben Kay, Harry Ellis and England captain Lewis Moody.

These departures have not deterred 33 per cent of readers who believe the Welford Road side can win the Premiership for the tenth time.

Despite Moody's move, only 9.6 per cent believe it can inspire Bath to their first domestic trophy since 1996.

New owner Bruce Craig will hope acquisitions of the aforementioned Moody, as well as Simon Taylor and Sam Vesty, can end that wait. It was Moody himself who scuppered Bath at last season's semi-final stage with an inspired performance; his transfer, above any other this season, can shift the balance of power in the Aviva Premiership.

A poor 2009/2010 for Wasps has not discouraged readers to place them as second favourites with 14 per cent of the vote.

The departure of Danny Cipriani to Melbourne will be alleviated by the return of Riki Flutley and the arrival of Andy Powell, although it remains to be seen if he's deployed as a number 8 or flanker at his new club.

Bookmaker Sky Bet agrees with our readers' assessment of Leicester, making them 15/8 to retain the title. New-look Bath are second favourites at 7/2, while last season's finalists Saracens can be backed at 5/1.

The confidence shown in Wasps is not necessarily reflected by the online betting experts who regard them as a 9/1 shot. Northampton Saints, second last season, are 9/2, while the ambitious punter can back newly-promoted Exeter at 500/1.

See Sky Bet's Aviva Premiership betting markets