Gallagher Premiership briefing: Team news and statistics
Team news and statistics ahead of this weekend's action in the Gallagher Premiership.
Saturday, October 6
Harlequins (4) v Saracens (1)
Marcus Smith is restored at fly-half for Harlequins, displacing James Lang on to the bench. Former Chicago Bears full-back Paul Lasike is present at inside centre while Mike Brown makes his 300th appearance for the club.
Saracens captain Brad Barritt is ruled out by a facial injury so Alex Lozowski features at inside centre with Nick Tompkins slotting in at 13. Richard Wigglesworth and Maro Itoje are rested, so Ben Spencer and Will Skelton start.
Last season: Saracens 24 Harlequins 11, Harlequins 20 Saracens 19
Last Six League Matches: Harlequins L W L L L W Saracens W W W W W W
Top try scorers: Danny Care & Nathan Earle (Harlequins) 3; Liam Williams (Saracens) 6
Top goal scorers: Marcus Smith (Harlequins) 51; Owen Farrell (Saracens) 47
Northampton (8) v Leicester (7)
Northampton have made two changes in personnel with Harry Mallinder dislodging Ahsee Tuala, who moves from full-back to wing, and Andrew Kellaway coming in at inside centre for the concussed Piers Francis.
Scrum-half Ben Youngs and centre Manu Tuilagi start for Leicester after overcoming their respective ankle and hamstring problems. Jonah Holmes starts at full-back and Harry Wells replaces Graham Kitchener as lock.
Last season: Leicester 21 Northampton 27, Northampton 24 Leicester 11
Last Six League Matches: Northampton W L W L L W Leicester W L W L L W
Top try scorers: Piers Francis & Dylan Hartley (Northampton) 2; Johnny May (Leicester) 5
Top goal scorers: Dan Biggar (Northampton) 53; George Ford (Leicester) 81
Sale (12) v Newcastle (11)
Australia utility back James O'Connor will make his first appearance for nine months after recovering from ankle issues to win a place on Sale's bench. AJ MacGinty returns to fly-half and Sam James is picked at full-back.
Newcastle make just one change with Michael Young making his first appearance of the season at scrum-half. Kyle Cooper, David Wilson and Ryan Burrows are promoted to the bench.
Last season: Newcastle 35 Sale 30, Sale 12 Newcastle 13
Last Six League Matches: Sale L L W L L L Newcastle L L L W L L
Top try scorers: Marland Yarde (Sale) 3; Mark Wilson (Newcastle) 4
Top goal scorers: Alan MacGinty (Sale) 45; Toby Flood (Newcastle) 46
Wasps (3) v Gloucester (5)
New Zealand fly-half Lima Sopoaga is one of eight changes made to Wasps' starting XV. The playmaker has a neck injury and is replaced by Billy Searle. Elliot Daly returns at 13 and is named captain.
Billy Twelvetrees replaces Henry Trinder at outside centre in the solitary change made by Gloucester, who see fly-half Danny Cipriani return to the club he left for Kingsholm during the summer.
Last season: Gloucester 25 Wasps 25, Wasps 49 Gloucester 24
Last Six League Matches: Wasps W W L W W W Gloucester L W D W L L
Top try scorers: Josh Bassett (Wasps) 4; Charlie Sharples (Gloucester) 6
Top goal scorers: Lima Sopoaga (Wasps) 39; Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester) 43
Sunday, October 7
Worcester (10) v Bristol (9)
Worcester make five changes, including the return from injury of wing Bryce Heem, centre Francois Venter, tighthead prop Nick Schonert and openside Sam Lewis. Ben Te'o remains out with ankle and thigh problems.
Zane Kirchner makes his Bristol debut after signing from the Dragons as short-term injury cover, taking over at full-back from Piers O'Conor who has a foot issue. Ian Madigan returns at fly-half.
Last season: No Corresponding fixture
Last Six League Matches: Worcester L L L L W L Bristol L W L L W L
Top try scorers: Ted Hill & Duncan Weir (Worcester) 3; Alapati Leiua (Bristol) 4
Top goal scorers: Duncan Weir (Worcester) 47; Ian Madigan (Bristol) 35
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