Gloucester v London Irish

Kick-off 3pm today

Venue Kingsholm

Last year Gloucester 29 London Irish 22

Last five matches Glouc: LWWLW Irish: LWLDW

Irish's win Leicester last Sunday did Gloucester a great favour but the leaders are unlikely to show their gratitude today. Marcel Garvey, who injured an ankle in Gloucester's defeat at Leicester a fortnight ago, returns to the bench where he sits next to the England prop Phil Vickery. For the Exiles Justin Bishop, who played in Ireland's water polo win at Lansdowne Road last week, replaces wing Pieter Rossouw.

Harlequins v Saracens

Kick-off 3pm today

Venue The Stoop

Last year Harlequins 43 Saracens 6

Last five matches Quins: WWLWL Saracens: LLWLW

Tim Horan passed a fitness test yesterday and retains the No10 shirt for Saracens in this fixture between two sides struggling to find consistent form in the league. Quins' coach Mark Evans, once a Saracens stalwart, hopes to have Nick Duncombe back at scrum-half and that Will Greenwood and Jason Leonard will have recovered from bumps and bruises received across the road at Twickenham last Saturday.

Leicester v Northampton

Kick-off 5.35pm today

Venue Welford Road

TV Sky Sports 1, 5.30pm

Last year Leicester 17 Northampton 6

Last five matches Leic: WWWWL Nhampton: WLLLW

The east midlands derby, always a keynote fixture, was watered down earlier this month with so many players on international duty. Graham Rowntree's return to the Tigers' pack will help offset the loss of Neil Back and Lewis Moody, but Martin Johnson and Austin Healey will feature. Budge Pountney makes his 200th Saints appearance, but Tigers should clinch a league double.

Leeds v Wasps

Kick-off 2.30pm tomorrow

Venue Headingley

Last year Leeds 18 Wasps 28

Last five matches Leeds: WWDWL Wasps: WLDLL

Braam van Straaten helped Leeds to an astonishing draw at Adams Park three weeks ago and Wasps have not looked the same side since. Laid waste by injuries to key players Rob Howley, Alex King, Phil Greening and Simon Shaw and without the suspended Lawrence Dallaglio, Wasps look unlikely to end Leeds's unbeaten home record. For the Tykes Diego Albanese, Gordon Ross and Mark Regan all return from international duty.

Newcastle v Bristol

Kick-off 2.30pm tomorrow

Venue Kingston Park

Last year Newcastle 37 Bristol 20

Last five matches Newc: WLLLL Bristol: LLWDW

Four successive defeats have left Newcastle rooted at the bottom and the loss of Jonny Wilkinson until Christmas will make this a far from festive season for Rob Andrew's side. The former Auckland and New Zealand Under-21 international James Christian makes a debut at hooker. Bristol have their captain, the former Falcon Ross Beattie, back after injury and Argentinians Agustin Pichot and Felipe Contepomi also return.