Gloucester v Saracens
Saturday, 5.45pm, Kingsholm, Sky Sports 1
Saturday evening's match of the weekend will be the acid test of Gloucester's long unbeaten home record. The champions, for whom Jacques Burger returns to the back row after World Cup duty and Matt Stevens is on the bench, look more powerful on paper. Gloucester also have a notable figure on the bench, in Mike Tindall, while their wacky Samoan tweeter Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu is picked in the centre.
Match pointers Gloucester are unbeaten in their past 22 home Premiership games … Saracens have won once here in 22 visits
Harlequins v Exeter
Saturday, 3pm, The Stoop
Quins have begun the season like a runaway train and Nick Easter is back for his 100th game to help make sure the leaders stay on the rails. The No8 is in the back row alongside the 20‑year‑old Luke Wallace, who has made an impressive start to the season. Exeter can find no place for the former Quin Gonzalo Camacho. Quins should prevail but Exeter have won at Welford Road this season.
Match pointers Harlequins have won all eight games this season … The four previous games between the clubs have been won by the home side
London Irish v Bath
Saturday, 2.30pm, Madejski Stadium, ESPN
Nick Kennedy, England's forgotten lock, will lead the Exiles out to mark his 200th appearance while Shontayne Hape will be looking to make his mark against his former Bath team‑mates. Alex Corbisiero is on the Irish bench. Kennedy will be up against Stuart Hooper, who returns to lead Bath, while Michael Claassens and Sam Vesty resume their half‑back partnership for the visitors.
Match pointers Irish have lost only one of their past 10 games in Reading … Irish's only win in their last eight against Bath was in November 2009
Northampton v Newcastle
Saturday, 3pm, Franklin's Gardens
Newcastle are adrift at the bottom and this will be difficult for them. Saints are punching their weight now their internationals have returned. The centre Tom May and the No8 Phil Dowson play against their former Falcons' team‑mates. Newcastle have made seven changes including the return of the former Northampton prop Euan Murray. The South African Corne Uys is in the centre.
Match pointers Saints have won their past four games against the Falcons … Newcastle last won here in November 2009 Ian Malin
