Skysports.com gives its views on five of the new overseas signings in the Premiership this season.
Skysports.com gives a run down on some of the new faces in the Premiership
A new season will equal a new start for a number of players after a summer of frenzied transfer activity.
However while there has been a number of high-profile switches between the clubs, a number of world-class players have arrived to add to the wealth of talent in the Guinness Premiership.
The foreign influx may pale into insignificance compared to last year's rush - with a number of players remaining in the northern hemisphere after the World Cup in France - however the emphasis this time has been on quality rather than quantity.
And
skysports.com assesses the attributes and potential impact of five of the Premiership new boys...
Chris Latham (Worcester)
Worcester's signing of the Australia full-back Chris Latham created shockwaves across the rugby world with a number of top clubs believed to be interested in him.
Queensland Reds and Australia were also keen to keep hold of one of their prized assets; however the lure of the Warriors' vision was just to strong.
And, should Latham stay clear of the injuries that have hampered him in recent years, he could well be one of the best signings in Premiership history.
An influential player on and off the field, Latham will have a massive part to play as Worcester hope to pull clear of relegation worries.
Second in Australia's try-scoring lists with 40 from 78 games, the 32-year-old is a prolific finisher - with his scything runs from full-back able to rip apart the tightest of defences.
However, in spite of his ability to break the line, Latham has never been the quickest of players - and in the twilight of his career and on the back of a couple of injuries he could be exploited in this area.
Also, Latham has a habit of switching off in defence - one suspects, though, that he won't get the chance to lose concentration with many tipping Worcester to be on the backfoot for most the season.
Latham does have a good rugby brain and Worcester will be looking to make the most of his experience during the season.
Nick Evans (Harlequins)
In the signing of Nick Evans, Harlequins have captured a real gem.
Had Dan Carter not existed then Evans would have made the All Blacks No.10 shirt his own for many years.
As it is Evans has had to live in the shadow of his more illustrious compatriot - however that does not mean the 27-year-old isn't a class act; he has even been dubbed by some as "the second-best fly-half in world rugby".
In 16 appearances Evans has compiled 103 points for New Zealand - but was too often forced to play full-back to accommodate Carter at 10.
Evans has wonderful vision and superb acceleration - meaning Premiership defences will have to be on high alert - while his accurate kicking will punish any indiscretion.
Evans is also not afraid to put his body on the line, although playing for New Zealand, he has not often been put under pressure.
How he adapts to life in the Premiership with a side that will be put under pressure will be interesting to see.
Serge Betsen (Wasps)
Wasps' Premiership rivals will have had their celebrations at the news the Lawrence Dallaglio was quitting cut short by the announcement that Serge Betsen would be his replacement at Adams Park.
On the plus side for the Premiership at least is Dallaglio and Betsen won't be playing in the same back-row as that could have been a fearsome combination.
Betsen has rightly earned the tag as 'The Grim Reaper' for his tackling prowess - with Jonny Wilkinson sure to be the first to testify of his power.
Wilkinson suffered against Betsen in 2002 with the France flanker forcing the England No.10 out of the Six Nations game after a series of big hits.
A series of gruelling battles may have finally caught up with Betsen, forcing him to quit the international stage, but the 34-year-old has lost none of his hunger.
He had talked of quitting club rugby for good at the end of the 2007-08 season having become disillusioned at Biarritz. However the lure of an assault on the Premiership was just too strong.
And under the captaincy of his former national skipper Raphael Ibanez, Betsen could flourish.
If he can stay injury-free - a big ask for someone who puts their body on the line as often as Betsen - he will have a big impact on the Wasps side as whole, especially alongside the likes of young guns James Haskell and Tom Rees.
Betsen will have one or two bridges to build at Wasps, though, having been previously cited for breaking former centre Stuart Abbott's leg during a Heineken Cup tie in 2005.
Wikus van Heerden (Saracens)
Richard Hill may be enjoying a well-earned retirement but life goes on for Saracens - and they have recruited well in finding an able replacement for their departed talisman.
The work of Hill at Saracens - and for England - can never be understated, with the flanker constantly putting his body on the line.
But in van Heerden, Sarries have signed a play in the same mould, with the 29-year-old having earned a reputation as master of stealing the ball and as someone willing to get stuck in to do all the dirty work.
Did not gain the international recognition he deserved early in his career having played for the struggling Cats/Lions side. However, a move to the Bulls kick-started his career, earning him a call-up for the victorious World Cup squad in 2007.
He also lifted the Super 14s title while at the Bulls, so will arrive at Vicarage Road determined to add to his medal collection.
He is a natural-born leader, being dubbed 'Captain Courageous' during his time at the Lions, and Saracens will be keen for him to guide them to silverware.
Derick Hougaard (Leicester)
In Derick Hougaard, Leicester have signed a hugely talented fly-half, who has been underused by the Springboks in the past.
His kicking abilities have deserved more than just eight caps but question marks over his distribution and decision-making have seen him left out in the international wilderness.
He has been criticised in the past for relying too heavily on his kicking, however when you can kick a ball as well as Hougaard that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
As a 19-year-old he landed a record-breaking 26 points to win the Bulls the 2002 Currie Cup and earn his place in the hearts of the Loftus Versfeld faithful.
He went one better in 2007 as he kicked a record-equalling 27 points as the Bulls knocked the highly-fancied Crusaders out of the Super 14s semi-finals - and in that season he scored 161 points in 14 games.
His time at the Bulls saw him win two Currie Cups and the Super 14s title and if there is someone who can get the best out of the 25-year-old it will be Tigers coach Heyneke Meyer.
The pair worked well together at the Bulls, and Leicester fans will be hoping they can bring across the same winning formula.
With Toby Flood also pushing for the No.10 jersey, Hougaard will have to adapt to life in the Premiership quickly - and with the likes of Tom Varndell, Dan Hipkiss, Johne Murphy, Seru Rabeni and Aaron Mauger outside him, he will also need to work on his passing.
Others to watch
Shontayne Hape and Justin Harrison (Bath), Vunga Lilo (Bristol), Greg Somerville (Gloucester), Waisea Luveniyali (Harlequins), Craig Newby (Leicester), Lachlan Mitchell (Wasps), Tane Tu'ipulotu (Newcastle), Ben Jacobs (Saracens).
