Let there be rugby. Of course, there has been plenty of action in the Tri-Nations, with South Africa finding it easier to beat New Zealand and Australia than the British and Irish Lions, but the game this side of the equator has, this summer, been mired in scandal.

Rugby fans have been shocked and saddened by the revelations, as well as outraged at some of the accusations that have been hurled at the sport they love. But, while acknowledging their significance, they've had their fill of fake blood, cocaine and cover-ups.

What they want now is for their faith to be restored by what happens on the field. The Guinness Premiership resumes this weekend. For rugby folk it's not a moment too soon. The game in this country may have mislaid its soul, but it has never been in better physical shape.

According to some official independent statistics, rugby is the fastest growing sport in the country, it is almost certain to return to the Olympics in 2016, while England will host the World Cup the previous year.

Sponsors and broadcasters are still queuing up to get involved and attendances are increasing year on year.

The total number of spectators attending Guinness Premiership matches this season will beat last year's total – itself a record – not least because the clubs have the financial stability and the confidence both to increase capacity at their own grounds and to borrow bigger stadia if a high-profile fixture comes along. This weekend's London double-header at Twickenham, with Harlequins playing Wasps and Saracens taking on London Irish, has already sold more tickets than this time last year. There could be more than 60,000 spectators present.

Three of the four London sides, and half of the 12 teams in the Premiership have a different director of rugby than they had this time last year.

While Dean Richards has resigned from Harlequins as a result of his part in "Bloodgate", Ian McGeechan knew that Wasps no longer required his services even while he was leading the Lions to within a couple of scores of beating the world champions in their own back yard. Sale's Philippe Saint Andre was head-hunted by Toulon and has made an unbeaten start to the French championship with his new team, and its star outside-half Jonny Wilkinson. Gloucester's Dean Ryan paid the price for a dismal end-of-season run by the Cherry and Whites, while Eddie Jones was the victim of yet another palace coup at Saracens and Heineke Meyer had to return to South Africa because of a family illness.

Leeds have returned to the Premiership and their head honcho Andy Key – with Neil Back as head coach – has been in position only about as long as Steve Bates, boss of Newcastle Falcons, Leeds' opponents this weekend.

Jim Mallinder, of Northampton, has only one year's experience of the top flight, while Worcester's Mike Ruddock was guiding Wales in the Six Nations only four years ago.

That leaves Steve Meehan at Bath as the grand old man among directors of rugby and he's lost five senior players to the cocaine scandal.

Nevertheless, Meehan has been as canny as any of his competitors in the transfer market – back-row forward Luke Watson, outside half Nicky Little and the returning Olly Barkley will bring oodles of big-match experience to the table – and the Recreation Ground outfit should again finish in the top four.

So should Northampton – whose shrewd summer signings include England utility back Shane Geraghty and the hard-working and under-rated back-rower Phil Dowson – and London Irish, last year's runners-up.

They will be hoping to help ex-Gloucester outside half Ryan Lamb to make the step up from mercurial to magical.

But the team to beat are Leicester. The champions have also signed a Gloucester player, Anthony Allen, but despite losing internationals like Martin Corry (to retirement), Julien Dupuy (to Stade Francais), Derick Hougard (to Saracens) and Tom Varndell (to Wasps) possess such strength in depth that they should never be written off.

Interestingly, they've appointed a back as captain for the first time in nearly three decades and Geordan Murphy personifies the adventurous approach that took the Premiership by storm in the second half of last season.

It's an approach that was adopted by the Lions in the summer and at times by all three Tri-Nations teams.

It's fast, exciting, high-risk, skilful and attractive to watch. In fact, especially after such a summer of discontent, just what the sport needs now. Please God, let there be rugby.