Team news and statistics ahead of Friday's Gallagher Premiership clash between Leicester and Northampton.
Leicester (10) v Northampton (7)
Team news
Manu Tuilagi will make his first start for Leicester since agreeing a new two-year contract with the Tigers. Tuilagi is one of five England stars making an immediate return to club action alongside Jonny May, George Ford, Ellis Genge and Dan Cole. Ben Youngs has an unspecified knock, however.
Northampton make eight changes, among them the selection of Wales' Dan Biggar who is joined in the half-back by Cobus Reinach. Number eight Teimana Harrison captains Saints and Rory Hutchinson replaces the concussed Luther Burrell.
Last season: Leicester 21 Northampton 27, Northampton 24 Leicester 11
Last Six League Matches: Leicester L W L L W L; Northampton W L W W L L
Top try scorers: Johnny May (Leicester) 9; Jacobus Reinach (Northampton) 9
Top goal scorers: George Ford (Leicester) 212; Dan Biggar (Northampton) 185
Preview
Manu Tuilagi will make his first start for Leicester since signing a new two-year deal in Friday night's east midlands derby against Northampton.
Tuilagi lines up at outside centre a week after rejecting a lucrative move to join Racing 92 and committing to the Tigers until 2021 - a decision he admits was weighing heavily on his mind during England's recent Guinness Six Nations campaign.
The 27-year-old is among five members of Eddie Jones' squad selected for the Gallagher Premiership showdown against Saints with Jonny May, George Ford, Ellis Genge and Dan Cole also present.
Leicester are 10th in the table and head coach Geordan Murphy admits their return to club duty is well timed.
"It's great to have those senior players back, they're all in good spirits and they're quality players," Murphy said.
"They enjoyed their time away but now they're anxious to get back and contribute. Derby day is always huge, this is always one of the biggest games of the year."
Northampton were crowned Premiership Cup champions after recording a rare win over Saracens on Sunday, but in the league they sit only three points above their fierce rivals.
Dan Biggar is picked at fly-half after helping Wales win the Grand Slam and number eight Teimana Harrison captains the team.
