Bath's defence has been put on red alert for their Guinness Premiership trip to Harlequins on Sunday.

Bath, bolstered by the return of England full-back Nick Abendanon from a toe injury, hope to finish the weekend where they started it, at the top of the table.

A 28-28 draw with Northampton last Saturday knocked them off their stride and forwards coach Mark Bakewell predicts Quins will be an even tougher assignment.

"Harlequins always put a lot of pressure on our game," said Bakewell.

"They are probably a bigger collective threat than Northampton and they get a lot of quick ball and are solid in defence.

"Harlequins are one of the better attacking teams for sure."

Captain Will Skinner and former England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall return for Quins following last weekend's 27-14 defeat to Leicester.

Play-off chasing London Irish have been strengthened for their clash with Bristol by the return of some of their international contingent.

Seilala Mapusua and Sailosi Tagicakibau are restored at inside centre and on the left wing respectively after being on Pacific Islanders duty.

"I've no doubt that Bristol will have targeted their home games as must wins," said London Irish head coach Toby Booth.

"Given their past home record against us, they will fancy their chances of turning us over.

"Richard Hill and Paul Hull are a very good coaching team and with John Brain involved with the forwards, you know they will always compete and will do so for 85 minutes."

Bristol attempt to climb off the foot of the Premiership table with their England scrum-half Shaun Perry making his first start of the season.

In Sunday's other fixture, Saracens will be seeking to end a two-match losing streak when they host Worcester.