Gallagher Premiership briefing: Team news and statistics for weekend
Team news and statistics ahead of the latest round of matches in rugby union's Gallagher Premiership.
Saturday, November 17
Bath (8) v Worcester (7)
Nathan Catt starts in the Bath front row fresh from agreeing a new long-term contract and is joined by the returning Tom Dunn and Henry Thomas. Elliott Stooke is restored to the second row, with captain Matt Garvey switching to blindside flanker.
Flanker Matti Williams will make his first Premiership start for the Warriors with Ted Hill on international duty and Marco Mama sidelined by a hamstring injury. Perry Humphreys starts on the left wing in place of Josh Adams, who is on the bench for Wales against Tonga, tighthead prop Nick Schonert is in the front row having returned from England training and Duncan Weir starts at fly-half after two weeks of training with Scotland.
Last season: Worcester 25 Bath 46, Bath 29 Worcester 13.
Last six league matches: Bath L D W W L L Worcester L L L W L W.
Top try scorers: Joe Cokanasiga & Tom Homer (Bath) 3; Ted Hill, Chris Pennell & Duncan Weir (Worcester) 3.
Top goal scorers: Freddie Burns (Bath) 67; Duncan Weir (Worcester) 80.
Northampton (9) v Wasps (3)
Northampton will give first Premiership starts to George Furbank, Fraser Dingwall and Alex Moon, while Will Davis, Karl Garside and Ollie Sleightholme could all make their league debuts from the bench and there is a return to Premiership action for the first time since March for Tom Wood.
Springbok centre Juan De Jongh and captain Ashley Johnson return to the Wasps starting line-up while academy forward Tom Willis is set to make his first league start after impressing in the recent Premiership Rugby Cup matches. Ben Harris starts in the front row alongside Tom Cruse with Simon McIntyre and Tommy Taylor both sidelined through concussion.
Last season: Wasps 36 Northampton 29, Northampton 22 Wasps 38.
Last six league matches: Northampton L W L L W L Wasps W L W W W L.
Top try scorers: Piers Francis, Dylan Hartley & Mike Haywood (Northampton) 2; Josh Bassett & Juan de Jongh (Wasps) 4.
Top goal scorers: Dan Biggar (Northampton) 68; Lima Sopoaga (Wasps) 66.
Saracens (2) v Sale (11)
American international Chris Wyles is coming out of retirement to make his 254th Saracens appearance in the absence of a host of wingers due to injury and international calls. Captain Brad Barritt, full-back Alex Goode and scrum-half Ben Spencer are all back in action for the first time in four weeks while Nick Tompkins is also given a start. In the pack, there are first league starts for Tom Woolstencroft and Christian Judge.
Sale will have an-all South African half-back partnership for the first time in their history with Faf De Klerk linking up alongside Rob Du Preez while winger Byron McGuigan plays after being released by Scotland and Bryn Evans is back in the pack.
Last season: Sale 3 Saracens 13, Saracens 41 Sale 13.
Last six league matches: Saracens W W W W W W Sale L W L L L W.
Top try scorers: Liam Williams (Saracens) 6; Marland Yarde (Sale) 3.
Top goal scorers: Owen Farrell (Saracens) 98; Robert Du Preez (Sale) 79.
Sunday, November 18
Bristol (10) v Exeter (1)
Bristol head coach Pat Lam makes one change to the side that beat Wasps last weekend, with Nick Haining coming into the back row, while Charles Piutau and Aly Muldowney will make their first appearances for the Bears in the Premiership.
Exeter are without eight players on international duty but director of rugby Rob Baxter recalls a host of players rested for the Premiership Rugby Cup matches and Australia scrum-half Nic White is on the bench after recovering from a broken foot sustained in the opening day victory over Leicester.
Last season: No corresponding fixture.
Last six league matches: Bristol W L L W L L Exeter W W W W W W.
Top try scorers: Alapati Leiua (Bristol) 4; Sam Simmonds (Exeter) 5.
Top goal scorers: Callum Sheedy (Bristol) 55; Gareth Steenson (Exeter) 70.
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