There’s four Premiership games on Saturday before one takes place on Sunday, with Northampton and Leicester doing battle at Twickenham.
Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers
Northampton Saints’ director of rugby Chris Boyd has made two changes to his starting XV for this week’s derby clash against Leicester Tigers.
Twickenham Stadium is the venue for the first East Midlands Derby of the season, with Saints hosting the game at the home of English rugby in aid of retired player Rob Horne, who will deliver the match ball in front of over 40,000 supporters.
The men in Black, Green and Gold arrive in south-west London off the back of a five-point win over Bristol Bears last weekend, and completed a season double over Tigers last term for the first time since 2005.
Boyd has called full-back Harry Mallinder and centre Andrew Kellaway into his starting team for the first time this season, with Piers Francis unavailable and Ahsee Tuala switching onto the wing.
Fresh from scoring his first Saints try last time out at Ashton Gate, Taqele Naiyaravoro completes the back three, with inside centre Luther Burrell partnering Kellaway in midfield, and Cobus Reinach and Dan Biggar filling the half-back positions once again.
Elsewhere, Boyd has named an unchanged pack following an impressive set-piece showing at Bristol, with Dylan Hartley and Alex Waller jointly leading the side in the front-row.
Meanwhile, Ben Youngs and Manu Tuilagi return to the Leicester starting line-up for Saturday’s Premiership fixture against the Saints.
Tigers’ interim head coach Geordan Murphy brings Tuilagi back into the team after a hamstring injury while Youngs starts at scrum-half after appearing as a replacement in the win over Sale Sharks last week.
Jonah Holmes also comes into the backline and there is one change in the forward pack where Harry Wells replaces Graham Kitchener.
Scrum-half Sam Harrison returns from injury to take his place among the replacements alongside England U20s quartet Joe Heyes, Sam Lewis, Tom Hardwick and Jordan Olowofela.
Form: Northampton Saints’ two victories this season were at home to Harlequins in Round 2 and away at Bristol in Round 5 of Premiership Rugby. Saints have been defeated on their two most recent visits to Twickenham Stadium, both last season, in the London double header against Saracens and in the ‘Big Game’ against Harlequins on 30 December. Leicester Tigers’ two victories this season have both been at home, against Newcastle in Round 2 and Sale in Round 5. Leicester have won on two of their last three visits to Twickenham Stadium, once on their only previous match against Northampton there in the 2013 Premiership Final. The Saints won both encounters against Tigers last season and have only once before achieved three victories in a row against their East Midlands rivals in Premiership Rugby, in 2002-2003.
The teams:
Northampton: 15 Harry Mallinder, 14 Ahsee Tuala, 13 Andrew Kellaway, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Teimana Harrison, 7 Lewis Ludlam, 6 Jamie Gibson, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 David Ribbans, 3 Ehren Painter, 2 Dylan Hartley (cc), 1 Alex Waller (cc)
Replacements: 16 Mike Haywood, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Mitch Eadie, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Fraser Dingwall, 23 Tom Collins
Leicester: 15 Jonah Holmes, 14 Adam Thompstone, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Guy Thompson, 6 David Denton, 5 Harry Wells, 4 Mike Williams, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs (c), 1 Greg Bateman
Replacements: 16 Ross McMillan, 17 David Feao, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Sam Lewis, 20 Valentino Mapapalangi, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Tom Hardwick, 23 Jordan Olowofela
Date: Saturday, October 6
Venue: Twickenham
Kick-off: 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT)
Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant referees: Adam Leal, Roy Maybank
Television match official: Sean Davey
Sale Sharks v Newcastle Falcons
Australian international James O’Connor returns to Sale Sharks’ match-day squad for the Premiership game against Newcastle Falcons at the AJ Bell Stadium.
It will be nine months to the day since O’Connor’s last appearance against Harlequins in January.
AJ MacGinty returns to fly-half, while Sam James wears the full-back shirt this week with Byron McGuigan moving to the wing due to Denny Solomona’s absence through injury.
Elsewhere, former Lions centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg comes in for his first start of the season, replacing Mark Jennings, and James Phillips is selected ahead of Andrei Ostrikov at lock.
For Newcastle, Michael Young makes his first appearance of the Premiership season on Saturday when the Falcons travel to northern rivals Sale.
Young’s inclusion is the only change to the Falcons side which took a bonus-point from last week’s visit of Wasps. Newcastle will be looking to repeat the one-point victory they achieved away to the Sharks during the early part of last season.
Kyle Cooper, David Wilson and Ryan Burrows all come onto the bench after also showing up well for the A Team on Monday.
Form: Before this season the last time that Sale Sharks propped up the Premiership Rugby league table after Round 1 was in season 2012/13. Sale’s only victory in their last eight Premiership Rugby matches was 21-15 at home to Worcester in Round 2. Newcastle Falcons have won just one of their last seven Premiership Rugby encounters – 23-20 at Worcester in Round 3. Newcastle won both of their fixtures with Sale last season although the Sharks did obtain a losing bonus point in both. The last eleven clashes between the two clubs in Premiership Rugby have been evenly split with five wins apiece plus a draw and in all bar one instance (where the margin was 8 points) the defeated side has obtained a losing bonus point. The Falcons have won twice before at AJ Bell Stadium, on their first visit in September 2013 and their most recent visit in September 2017.
The teams:
Sale: 15 Sam James, 14 Byron McGuigan, 13 Luke James, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Marland Yarde, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Will Cliff, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Jono Ross (c), 5 James Phillips, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 WillGriff John, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Ross Harrison
Replacements: 16 Curtis Langdon, 17 Alexandru Tarus, 18 Joe Jones, 19 Andrei Ostrikov, 20 Josh Beaumont, 21 Gus Warr, 22 Mark Jennings, 23 James O’Connor
Newcastle: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Michael Young, 8 Mark Wilson, 7 Will Welch (c), 6 Gary Graham, 5 Tevita Cavubati, 4 Calum Green, 3 Logovi’i Mulipola, 2 George McGuigan, 1 Adam Brocklebank
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Sami Mavinga, 18 David Wilson, 19 Will Witty, 20 Ryan Burrows, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 Tom Penny
Date: Saturday, October 6
Venue: AJ Bell Stadium
Kick-off: 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT)
Referee: Tom Foley
Assistant referees: Anthony Woodthorpe, Tim Wigglesworth
Television match official: Trevor Fisher
Wasps v Gloucester
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young has made eight changes to his side ahead of this Saturday’s Premiership clash with Gloucester at the Ricoh Arena.
All Black fly-half Lima Sopoaga, who proved to be Wasps’ match-winner last time out at Newcastle Falcons, misses out with a neck injury, meaning Billy Searle deputises at fly-half.
Dan Robson also gets to start in the half-back combination while Elliot Daly returns to the starting line-up as captain to form the centre pairing with Juan de Jongh.
Christian Wade is recalled in place of Marcus Watson and partners Josh Bassett and Rob Miller in the back three.
The front-row sees a clean sweep of changes, as last week’s bench become this week’s starters, with Ben Harris, Tommy Taylor and Kieran Brookes all getting the nod.
Will Rowlands and James Gaskell keep their spots in the second-row as do Ashley Johnson and Nizaam Carr in the back-row, but Nathan Hughes is restored to the starting XV.
Thomas Young and Craig Hampson could make their first appearances of the season from the bench while Gaby Lovobalavu recovers from a knee injury to be named among the replacements.
Meanwhile, looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat at home to Harlequins, Gloucester make just one change to their starting line-up with Billy Twelvetrees partnering Mark Atkinson in midfield.
Twelvetrees, who has contributed 43 points to Gloucester’s Premiership campaign so far, comes in for Henry Trinder at outside centre in the only change to the Cherry and Whites’ starting line-up.
And there is just the one alteration to the replacements bench as well, Owen Williams replacing Twelvetrees.
Form: Wasps’ solitary defeat so far this season was at home to Exeter in Round 2 of Premiership Rugby, their only defeat at the Ricoh Arena since January. Gloucester have slipped to back-to-back defeats at Saracens and at home to Harlequins to end their unbeaten start to the campaign. Gloucester have won only once on the road in Premiership Rugby since last November – 33-29 at London Irish in March. Wasps are unbeaten in their last three fixtures against Gloucester whilst Gloucester’s most recent victory on Wasps soil was at Adams Park in February 2011.
The teams:
Wasps: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Elliot Daly (c), 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Billy Searle, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Nizaam Carr, 6 Ashley Johnson, 5 James Gaskell, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Ben Harris
Replacements: 16 Tom Cruse, 17 Zurabi Zhvania, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Kearnan Myall, 20 Thomas Young, 21 Craig Hampson, 22 Michael Le Bourgeois, 23 Gaby Lovobalavu
Gloucester: 15 Tom Hudson, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Billy Twelvetrees, 12 Mark Atkinson, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Ben Vellacott, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Lewis Ludlow, 6 Jake Polledri, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Ed Slater (c), 3 Fraser Balmain, 2 James Hanson, 1 Josh Hohneck
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Alex Seville, 18 Ciaran Knight, 19 Freddie Clarke, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Callum Braley, 22 Owen Williams, 23 Jason Woodward
Date: Saturday, October 6
Venue: Ricoh Arena
Kick-off: 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT)
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Assistant referees: Andrew Jackson, Wayne Falla
Television match official: Claire Hodnett
Harlequins v Saracens
Harlequins full-back Mike Brown will make his 300th appearance for Harlequins this Saturday against Saracens at Twickenham Stoop.
Brown is part of a backline which includes scrum-half Danny Care, who is reaching a milestone of his own with his 250th club appearance, and USA international Paul Lasike at inside centre.
Lasike, a former NFL fullback with the Chicago Bears, replaces Ben Tapuai who is rested and Marcus Smith returns to start at fly-half.
The forwards remain unchanged from the trip to Kingsholm while Alofa Alofa is in the match 23 for the first time this season.
Meanwhile, Saracens have made six changes for the trip to their London rivals.
Brad Barritt misses out after having an operation on a facial injury picked up against Bath so Nick Tompkins comes in at 13 with Alex Lozowski moving to inside centre.
Flying wingers Alex Lewington and David Strettle grab starts on the left and right flanks respectively and England international Ben Spencer returns at scrum-half.
In the pack, Will Skelton is promoted to starting lock and Mike Rhodes takes the openside slot. Maro Itoje will make his 100th Saracens appearance from the bench.
Form: Harlequins’ 27-25 victory at Gloucester on Saturday ended a three-game losing run. Harlequins have won just twice at The Stoop in Premiership Rugby since December, against Bath in March and Sale in September. Saracens have now won twelve successive Premiership Rugby matches, the last eleven (including last season’s play-offs) scoring four or more tries in each. Sarries have not been defeated since Leinster knocked them out of the European Champions Cup at the quarter-final stage in Dublin in April. The last seven meetings between the two clubs in Premiership Rugby have all been won by the ‘home’ side on the day, those games being played at Wembley Stadium, The Stoop and the London (Olympic) Stadium. Saracens have not been victorious at The Stoop since a 39-0 win there in September 2014.
The teams:
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Nathan Earle, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Paul Lasike, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Danny Care, 8 James Chisholm, 7 Chris Robshaw (cc), 6 Renaldo Bothma, 5 James Horwill (cc), 4 Matt Symons, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Max Crumpton, 1 Joe Marler
Replacements: 16 Dave Ward, 17 Lewis Boyce, 18 Will Collier, 19 Stan South, 20 Semi Kunatani, 21 Charlie Mulchrone, 22 James Lang, 23 Alofa Alofa
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Alex Lozowski, 11 Alex Lewington, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Mike Rhodes, 6 Nick Isiekwe, 5 George Kruis, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Titi Lamositele, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Christopher Tolofua, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Maro Itoje, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Marcelo Bosch, 23 Sean Maitland
Date: Saturday, October 6
Venue: Twickenham Stoop
Kick-off: 19:30 BST (18:30 GMT)
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant referees: Hamish Smales, Robert Warburton
Television match official: David Rose
Worcester Warriors v Bristol Bears
Worcester Warriors have made five changes to their starting line-up for Bristol Bears’ visit to Sixways on Sunday.
Wing Bryce Heem, centre Francois Venter, tighthead prop Nick Schonert and openside flanker Sam Lewis have all recovered from injuries which ruled them out of last week’s clash with Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.
Heem returns from a groin strain, Venter has overcome a collarbone injury and Scotland international Duncan Weir – who was an unused replacement last week – returns to the starting line-up in the third change to the back division.
Schonert returns in the front-row following his recovery from a dead leg and Lewis, who has overcome a hip injury, is named in a re-jigged back-row. Marco Mama, who played at openside last week, switches to the blindside flank against his former club.
Lock Pierce Phillips is fit again after a dislocated thumb forced him to miss the Exeter trip. He takes his place on the bench alongside Ted Hill – who has scored three tries in two Premiership appearances – Jono Lance and Perry Humphreys, who all started last week.
Meanwhile, Bristol Bears boss Pat Lam has mades three changes to his starting line-up for their visit to Sixways.
Zane Kirchner is set for his first start at full-back. The South African international starts in place of Piers O’Conor (foot) who is unavailable.
Elsewhere, Ian Madigan returns to the line-up at fly-half, while Joe Joyce comes into the second-row in the only change to the pack and Dan Thomas is included in 23-man squad for first time as back-row cover.
Siale Piutau and Steve Luatua are named as co-captains for the final Premiership encounter before the five-week break for Challenge Cup and Premiership Cup competitions.
Form: Worcester Warriors have won just one of their last six Rugby Premiership matches – 44-37 at Leicester in Round 4. The Warriors most recent victory at Sixways in the tournament was against Harlequins in Round 21 last season. Bristol Bears’ only victory in their last four Premiership Rugby fixtures was 20-13 at home to Harlequins in Round 4. Bristol’s most recent away victory came at Hartpury in Round 22 of last year’s RFU Championship. The last seven meetings between the two clubs in all competitions have been evenly split with three wins apiece plus a draw. Bristol have only ever won twice at Sixways, in Premiership Rugby in September 2006 and in the Championship in April 2015.
The teams:
Worcester: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ryan Mills, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 GJ van Velze (c), 7 Sam Lewis, 6 Marco Mama, 5 Darren Barry, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Jack Singleton, 1 Callum Black
Replacements: 16 Joe Taufete’e, 17 Ryan Bower, 18 Simon Kerrod, 19 Pierce Phillips, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Michael Heaney, 22 Jono Lance, 23 Perry Humphreys
Bristol: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Will Hurrell, 12 Siale Piutau (cc), 11 Alapati Leiua, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Jack Lam, 7 George Smith, 6 Steve Luatua (cc), 5 Joe Joyce, 4 Ed Holmes, 3 John Afoa, 2 Harry Thacker, 1 Yann Thomas
Replacements: 16 Nick Fenton-Wells, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 Jake Armstrong, 19 Sam Jeffries, 20 Dan Thomas, 21 Nic Stirzaker, 22 Callum Sheedy, 23 Ryan Edwards
Date: Sunday, October 7
Venue: Sixways
Kick-off: 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant referees: Matthew O’Grady, Paul Dix
Television match official: Rowan Kitt