Watson has been sidelined for 13 months due to an Achilles injury, undergoing two operations.
Watson, who has won 33 caps, lines up at full-back for Bath's trip to the AJ Bell Stadium.
The 25-year-old has not played since England's defeat to Ireland in their final match of the 2018 Six Nations.
But his return to action is a timely boost for club and country, with Bath still having a chance of reaching the Premiership play-offs and England's World Cup warm-up Tests being less than four months away.
Friday's Premiership team news and stats
Newcastle (12) v Northampton (6)
Fiji international number eight Nemani Nagusa returns to the Newcastle side against Northampton at Kingston Park. One other change sees Callum Chick enter the back-row equation and Mark Wilson moving to openside flanker. John Hardie misses out because of a shoulder injury.
Northampton show just two changes from the side that beat Harlequins a fortnight ago. Wing Tom Collins takes over from an injured George Furbank, while centre Luther Burrell returns to action and partners Rory Hutchinson in midfield.
Last season: Newcastle 25 Northampton 22, Northampton 22 Newcastle 24
Last Six League Matches: Newcastle L W W W L L Northampton W L L W L W
Top try scorers: Sonatane Takulua (Newcastle) 6; Jacobus Reinach (Northampton) 11
Top goal scorers: Toby Flood (Newcastle) 128; Dan Biggar (Northampton) 214;
Sale (8) v Bath (7)
Sale are unchanged from the side edged out by La Rochelle in last weekend's European Challenge Cup semi-final. Sale boss Steve Diamond has retained a starting back-row of Ben Curry, Tom Curry and Jono Ross, with Josh Strauss on the bench, while wing Chris Ashton and centre James O'Connor also feature.
Anthony Watson returns to action for Bath after 13 months on the sidelines because of an Achilles injury. Watson has not played since last season's Six Nations, but he lines up in a Bath team that also sees starts for the likes of wing Joe Cokanasiga, centre Jamie Roberts and flanker Sam Underhill.
Last season: Bath 33 Sale 32, Sale 32 Bath 9
Last six league matches: Sale W L W L W L Bath L L W L W L
Top try scorers: Denny Solomona (Sale) 10; Joe Cokanasiga (Bath) 6;
Top points scorers: Robert Du Preez (Sale) 211; Freddie Burns (Bath) 135
