Bath v Northampton
Kick-off: 2.15pm today
Venue: Recreation Ground
Last year: Bath 36 Northampton 13
Last five matches: Bath: WWLLL North: WWLLW
Bath's players have been in a retreat this week, mobile phones banned, to concentate minds on a game they badly need to win, standing one point ahead of the bottom club Harlequins. Michael Foley makes three changes from the side that lost limply at Saracens. Andy Long replaces Mark Regan at hooker, Rob Thirlby is on the wing and James Scaysbrook comes into the back row. Steve Thompson returns as hooker for Saints who, worryingly for Bath, are finding real form.
Gloucester v Saracens
Kick-off: 2pm today
Venue: Kingsholm
TV: Sky Sports 2, 1.30pm
Last year: Gloucester 16 Saracens 15
Last five matches: Glos: WWWWL Sara: LWLLW
Phil Vickery's fractured foot threatens a premature end to the England prop's season but, if there is one area where Gloucester are not lacking, it is the front row. And second-placed Gloucester look far too powerful up front for struggling Sarries. Gloucester's backs Henry Paul and James Simpson-Daniel return from England's sevens triumph. Saracens perked up against Bath but ominously have never won here in the Premiership.
Bristol v Harlequins
Kick-off: 3pm tomorrow
Venue: Memorial Stadium
Last year: Bristol 13 Harlequins 19
Last five matches: Bristol: LLWLL Quins: LLLLW
Another nerve-racking afternoon is in prospect for Quins, still at the bottom despite that stirring win over Newcastle. Dan Luger is back in their squad which also, crucially, includes injury-plagued Keith Wood while Nick Greenstock replaces Chris Bell, the centre on England Under-19 duty. Bristol's season is petering out but Agustin Pichot and Garath Archer are back after injury. A nervy match could rest on the two kickers, Bristol's Felipe Contempomi and Quins' Paul Burke.
Leeds v London Irish
Kick-off: 2.30pm tomorrow
Venue: Headingley
Last year: No fixture
Last five matches: Leeds: LLWWL Irish: WLLWW
When these teams met earlier this season in Reading the Tykes conceded 42 points. But the arrival of Braam van Straaten has helped galvanise the Yorkshire side who are difficult opponents on their own pitch which resembles a beach at low tide and will not suit the Exiles' running game. Phil Murphy joins his brother Chris for only the second time in the Leeds second row. Geoff Appleyard replaces Rob Hoadley in the Irish backline. Leeds could just scrape a win.
Newcastle v Sale
Kick-off: 2.30pm tomorrow
Venue: Kingston Park
Last year: Newcastle 48 Sale 24
Last five matches: New: LLWLL Sale LWWLW
Newcastle's dip in form in the last month has mirrored that of the city's football team but they can still consolidate their fifth place and chance of a Heinken Cup slot if they win tomorrow. Liam Botham is at full-back with Mike Stephenson moving to the wing while Jason Robinson, who missed England's game last weekend, is confident of a return after his thigh injury. The Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson, another absentee at Twickenham, will start at fly-half for third-placed Sale.
Wasps v Leicester
Kick-off: 3pm tomorrow
Venue: Loftus Road
Last year: Wasps 22 Leicester 24
Last five matches: Wasps: WWWLL Leic: WWWWW
The return of a former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio and the present leader Martin Johnson adds spice to the occasion at Shepherds Bush. Dallaglio begins his first game for nine months after a knee injury and takes the No. 8 slot with Joe Worsley moving to No. 6. Craig Dowd is back in the Wasps front row. The changes should help ensure a close game but Leicester, with Johnson back after suspension, should widen that gap at the top.
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