This year's Premiership season has so far been a highly competitive affair.
After a disruptive start to campaign thanks to the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, the league approaches its midway mark with at least two playoff spots wide open.
Though Harlequins and Saracens dominate the top of the table, competition for a pace in the top four promises to make the 2012 half of the campaign a mouth-watering prospect.
As the top 12 clubs in England look to get their New Years off to a flying start, Sports Mole looks back at how the teams have fared so far this season.
Bath Rugby
With just four wins from 11 games this season, Bath are proving to be unlikely strugglers going into 2012.
The appointment of former British and Irish Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan last year was met with much fanfare, and the signing this year of World Cup-winning Kiwi Steven Donald had fans very excited, but the West Country club have so far failed to turn this show of intent into points.
Having already crashed out of the Heineken Cup, Bath face a tremendous task in mounting a comeback. A playoff spot, and even a Heineken Cup berth for next season, is looking increasingly unlikely.
Exeter Chiefs
Despite only being promoted to the Premiership for the first time in their history in 2010, Exeter Chiefs have impressed this season and look to be in contention for a playoff place.
The team have also put in a good show in the Amlin Challenge Cup, currently sitting at second in Pool 4 above Newport Gwent Dragons and on level points with Perpignan.
With 26 points from 11 Premiership games, eighth-placed Exeter find themselves three points off third-placed London Irish – demonstrating not only the tightness of the league this year, but also a reason why Exeter fans should be very excited.
Gloucester Rugby
Though level on points with West Country rivals Exeter, Gloucester currently sit in seventh place thanks to a healthy points difference.
Their easy-on-the-eye rugby this season has resulted in a try count of 24, five more than second-placed Saracens.
They go into 2012 with a playoff place and a Heineken Cup berth in reach.
Harlequins
It is not unfair to say that Harlequins have absolutely dominated the Premiership so far this season.
The London club managed to maintain a winning streak of 10 games before recently dropping a match to Saracens at Twickenham in front of an 80,000-strong crowd.
Despite the upset dished out by the Watford outfit, Harlequins still enjoy a five-point lead at the top of the table.
If they can maintain their momentum going in to 2012, Harlequins could be looking at their first ever Premiership title.
Leicester Tigers
Last year's first-placed team and eventual runners-up, Leicester Tigers have struggled to maintain their reputation as Premiership heavyweights this season.
Plagued by injuries and absences due to the World Cup at the start of the campaign, the Tigers dropped points to the likes of Exeter and Saracens before they eventually settled back down to winning ways.
Now fifth with 28 points from 11 games, Leicester will be looking to truly get back on track and push for the playoffs going into 2012.
London Irish
With a dismal 5-1-5 record at the end of the year, London Irish will have to patch things up if they are to maintain their current third-place standing in 2012.
Buoyed by bonus points, the Exiles will know that their inconsistencies have to be addressed.
Irish have a good try record and have demonstrated that they can play great attacking rugby, but with the mid-table so close this season they will have to work hard to secure a playoff spot.
London Wasps
Wasps have been in full overhaul mode this season. Dai Young has come in as head coach, while Shaun Edwards has left after 10 years at Adams Park.
Racked with injury problems and retirements, Wasps have only managed a 4-0-7 record in 2011, taking just 20 points.
2012 will be a long, hard road for the Waspies, with a mid-table finish and Heineken Cup berth perhaps Young's only realistic prospect.
Newcastle Falcons
Currently lingering in the relegation spot, Newcastle Falcons have had an extremely tough run this year.
With a 2-1-8 record and 11 points from as many games, the Falcons face the serious threat of dropping to the Championship.
Their main battle of 2012 will be with fellow strugglers Worcester Warriors, and with just six points between them it looks set to be a scrappy affair in the fight to avoid relegation.
Northampton Saints
Like Leicester, Northampton struggled at the start of the season with many of their players on World Cup duty.
Despite a slow start, the Saints have clawed their way to sixth place, with a healthy 27 points.
A playoff spot looks likely for Northampton, that is if they can deal with the speculation surrounding coach Jim Mallinder moving to take the vacant England job, and the future of star winger Chris Ashton.
Sale Sharks
Following a disappointing 10th-place finish last season, Sale Sharks have shown signs of a real resurgence this year.
With 28 points from 11 games, the Sharks have found themselves in fourth place at the midterm mark.
Wins over London Irish, Wasps and Northampton, plus a thrillingly narrow 48-41 defeat to Harlequins demonstrate that Sale have something to prove this season.
They go into 2012 as serious top-four contenders.
Saracens
Defending champions Saracens have continued to build on their success this season, both domestically and in Europe.
Though not pretty, their style of rugby has proved to contain a winning formula in the Premiership in 2011.
Sarries are currently five points off leaders Harlequins, but as they demonstrated at the 'Big Game' at Twickenham, the Quins are by no means champions yet.
Worcester Warriors
Worcester's 3-1-7 record may not seem like anything to shout about, but for a team recently re-promoted to Premiership after a year in the lower league, the Warriors will be content going into 2012.
Six points off the relegation spot, Worcester will be looking to keep bottom-placed Newcastle at bay and build on their wins over the likes of Sale and Northampton.
