Gallagher Premiership briefing: Team news and statistics

Saturday, February 16

Bath (8) v Newcastle (12)

Wing Joe Cokanasiga returns from England duty to start as Bath host Newcastle, where hooker Tom Dunn will make his 100th appearance for the Blue, Black and Whites. Nathan Catt returns at prop, with Elliott Stooke continuing at blindside flanker.

Scotland flanker Gary Graham starts in a Newcastle side showing 10 changes from last weekend's Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final at Northampton. Josh Matavesi and Vereniki Goneva are both missing with calf complaints, while Alex Dunbar has a groin issue.

Last season: Newcastle 29 Bath 12, Bath 32 Newcastle 33

Last six league matches: Bath W L D W W L Newcastle L W W L L L

Top try scorers: Joe Cokanasiga (Bath) 4; Vereniki Goneva & Mark Wilson (Newcastle) 5

Top goal scorers: Freddie Burns (Bath) 122; Toby Flood (Newcastle) 101

Harlequins (3) v Worcester (11)

Chris Robshaw and James Horwill will co-captain Harlequins in their clash with Worcester at The Stoop, while England men Danny Care and Mike Brown slot into the backline.

Wales wing Josh Adams starts for the Warriors, with lock Michael Fatialofa and prop Nick Schonert both fit to feature from the off.

Last season: Worcester 44 Harlequins 13, Harlequins 41 Worcester 35

Last six league matches: Harlequins W L W L W W Worcester L W L L L W

Top try scorers: Nathan Earle & Joe Marchant (Harlequins) 6; Bryce Heem (Worcester) 5

Top goal scorers: Marcus Smith (Harlequins) 157; Duncan Weir (Worcester) 167

Northampton (9) v Sale (5)

Wales fly-half Dan Biggar will start for Northampton after returning from Test duty, with centre Piers Francis and back-rower Tom Wood also slotting in as the Saints host Sale.

Fly-half AJ MacGinty has recovered from shoulder surgery and will feature for Sale for the first time since October, with Byron McGuigan also back in action for the Sharks.

Last season: Northampton 25 Sale 34, Sale 18 Northampton 15

Last six league matches: Northampton W L L W W L Sale L W D W W W

Top try scorers: Jacobus Reinach (Northampton) 6; Denny Solomona (Sale) 6

Top goal scorers: Dan Biggar (Northampton) 173; Robert Du Preez (Sale) 154

Saracens (2) v Leicester (7)

Saracens flanker Michael Rhodes is back in action for the first time since December after shoulder trouble, while Richard Barrington will make his 100th Premiership appearance.

Leicester captain Tom Youngs will feature for the first time since November having shaken off a knee injury, with wing Tom Varndell making his first league start for the Tigers in almost 10 years.

Last season: Saracens 20 Leicester 28, Leicester 17 Saracens 29

Last six league matches: Saracens W W W L W L Leicester L L L W L W

Top try scorers: Alex Lewington (Saracens) 7; Johnny May (Leicester) 9

Top goal scorers: Owen Farrell (Saracens) 213; George Ford (Leicester) 199