Premiership Preview: Saturday and Sunday

Editor

There are five games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday with Harlequins, Northampton, Saracens, Bath and Newcastle all having home=ground advantage.

Harlequins v Worcester Warriors

For Harlequins, James Chisholm returns to action for the first time since early March and is one of five changes in the forwards. 

Will Collier, who also returns from injury, is named at tighthead prop while Elia Elia makes his first start for the club.

Alofa Alofa partners Jamie Roberts in the midfield and is the sole change in the backline.

Speaking ahead of the match, Director of Rugby, John Kingston said: "We secured an excellent bonus point victory in our last Premiership match against Sale Sharks and we'll be looking to back that up at the weekend.

"Our preparation for the game has been excellent and we all know there is a job to be done."

Meanwhile, Worcester Warriors have made four changes to their starting line-up.

Skipper Donncha O’Callaghan, Perry Humphreys, Joe Taufete’e and Sam Lewis are all recalled to the side as Warriors go in search of their first league win of the campaign.

In the front row, Ethan Waller, Taufete’e and Gareth Milasinovich are all handed their first Premiership starts of the season while O’Callaghan is partnered by Will Spencer in the second row.

Lewis deputises for GJ van Velze who is missing after a head injury last weekend, and joins Alafoti Faosiliva and David Denton in the back row.

Australian fly-half Jono Lance makes his first Premiership start following his impressive displays in Europe and lines up next to scrum-half Jonny Arr who gets set for his 196th club appearance.

Jackson Willison and Wynand Olivier start in midfield while Chris Pennell, Josh Adams and Humphreys form the back three.

On the bench, Michael Dowsett and Huw Taylor could make their first Premiership appearances of the season after impressing in Monday night’s Premiership Rugby A League win over Wasps.

Tom Howe could also get his first Premiership cap from the bench while fly-half Tom Heathcote is back in the squad following concussion.

The teams:

Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Charlie Walker, 13 Alofa Alofa, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Danny Care, 8 Mat Luamanu, 7 Chris Robshaw, 6 James Chisholm, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Ben Glynn, 3 Will Collier, 2 Elia Elia, 1 Mark Lambert
Replacements: 16 Charlie Piper, 17 Lewis Boyce, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 Charlie Matthews, 20 Dino Lamb, 21 Charlie Mulchrone, 22 Tim Swiel, 23 Harry Sloan

Worcester: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Perry Humphreys, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Jonny Arr, 8 David Denton, 7 Sam Lewis, 6 Alafoti Faosiliva, 5 Will Spencer, 4 Donncha O’Callaghan (c), 3 Gareth Milasinovich, 2 Joe Taufete’e, 1 Ethan Waller
Replacements: 16 Jack Singleton, 17 Ryan Bower, 18 Biyi Alo, 19 Pierce Phillips, 20 Huw Taylor, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Tom Heathcote, 23 Tom Howe

Date: Saturday, October 28
Venue: Twickenham Stoop
Kick-off: 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT)
Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant referees: Jonathan Healy, Nigel Carrick
TMO: David Grashoff

Northampton Saints v Wasps

There are three changes to the Northampton side that started in Clermont last weekend; Ahsee Tuala, Kieran Brookes and Jamie Gibson all returning, with Paul Hill joining the bench.

Mitch Eadie (ankle), Jamie Elliott (hamstring), Jamal Ford-Robinson (calf), Rob Horne (calf), Lewis Ludlam (illness) George North (knee), David Ribbans (ankle) and Tom Stephenson (concussion) are unavailable for selection.

Meanwhile, the only change to the Wasps squad that beat Harlequins in the Champions Cup last Sunday sees Guy Thompson starting at number eight, with Matt Symons returning from injury to take a place on the bench. Nathan Hughes misses the game through a two-week suspension.

Thomas Young and James Gaskell are in line to make their 50th Premiership appearance for Wasps at the weekend.

Ahead of the short trip across the Midlands, the focus inside Wasps’ camp has been on trying to back up last weekend’s performance. “It would be too simple and too early to say we’ve turned a corner,” said Young, “but the last three games have seen a big step up in intensity and performance.

“Hopefully last Sunday’s win has helped to build some confidence, but the important thing now is to back up that performance so that we can kick on.

“We’ve set some good standards defensively over the past three weeks, particularly against Quins when we were also more clinical when we had the ball. So things are moving in the right direction, but there are still a lot of things we can and must do better.

“Saints have gone pretty well in the Premiership, but we know they will be hurting from their European defeats. We saw how well they bounced back earlier in the season in a similar scenario, so we’re under no illusion about how tough Saturday will be and that Saints will throw everything at us. This is a really important game for both teams.”

The teams:

Northampton: 15 Ahsee Tuala, 14 Ben Foden, 13 Nafi Tuitavake, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Tom Collins, 10 Piers Francis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Teimana Harrison, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Jamie Gibson, 5 Api Ratuniyarawa, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 1 Alex Waller 
Replacements: 16 Mikey Haywood, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Paull Hill, 19 Christian Day, 20 Michael Paterson, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Harry Mallinder, 23 Ken Pisi

Wasps: 15 Willie Le Roux, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Guy Thompson, 7 Thomas Young, 6 James Haskell, 5 Will Rowlands, 4 Joe Launchbury (c), 3 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 2 Ashley Johnson, 1 Matt Mullan
Replacements: 16 Antonio (TJ) Harris, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Marty Moore, 19 James Gaskell, 20 Jack Willis, 21 Matt Symons, 22 Joe Simpson, 23 Rob Miller

Date: Saturday, October 28
Venue: Franklin's Gardens
Kick-off: 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT)
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant referees: Adam Leal, Simon McConnell
TMO: Geoffrey Warren

Saracens v London Irish

Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Vincent Koch start in the Saracens front row, with Christopher Tolofua, Richard Barrington and Juan Figallo the front-row replacements. 

At lock, England duo Nick Isiekwe and George Kruis start with Will Skelton named on the bench, whilst in the back row, Calum Clark shifts to blindside flanker to take the place of Maro Itoje who is rested, with Schalk Burger starting at openside flanker alongside Jackson Wray who continues at number eight. Ben Earl is the loose forward replacement.

In the halves, Ben Spencer comes in at scrum-half to partner Owen Farrell with Richard Wigglesworth and Alex Lozowski the replacements.

Brad Barritt captains the side from inside centre with Nick Tompkins coming into the starting line-up at outside centre in the place of the injured Duncan Taylor.

In the back-three, Chris Wyles, Liam Williams and Alex Goode continue, with Nathan Earle the three-quarter replacement on the bench.

Meanwhile, the London Irish starting XV includes seven players who featured in last week’s impressive 44-7 triumph at Stade Français as the Exiles got back to winning ways in emphatic fashion.

Joe Cokanasiga and Tom Fowlie, who both played the full 80 minutes of their side’s win in Paris, start on the wing and at centre respectively. 

Ben Meehan is also given a starting berth at scrum-half, the summer recruit a try-scorer at the Stade Jean-Bouin last weekend.

Fergus Mulchrone makes a welcome return at centre, having not started a game since the opening day victory over Harlequins due to injury.

In the pack, second row Teofilo Paulo and blindside flanker Josh McNally get the nod for the trip to north London.

“It was great to leave Paris with a very good victory last weekend and there were a number of players who deserve a chance in the starting line-up this week,” said London Irish director of rugby Nick Kennedy.

“We are well aware of the challenge that awaits us at Saracens as they are a well-coached and well-drilled side, who have enjoyed great success in recent seasons.

“Everyone is looking forward to the return of Premiership Rugby and we’re relishing tomorrow’s game against the league leaders.”

The teams:

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Liam Williams, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Brad Barritt (c), 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Jackson Wray, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Calum Clark, 5 George Kruis, 4 Nick Isiekwe, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Christopher Tolofua, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Juan Figallo, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Alex Lozowski, 23 Nathan Earle

London Irish: 15 Tommy Bell, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Tom Fowlie, 12 Fergus Mulchrone, 11 Alex Lewington, 10 James Marshall, 9 Ben Meehan, 8 Ofisa Treviranus, 7 Blair Cowan, 6 Josh McNally, 5 Teofilo Paulo, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Petrus Du Plessis, 2 David Paice (c), 1 Ben Franks
Replacements: 16 Tom Woolstencroft, 17 Harry Elrington, 18 Oliver Hoskins, 19 Jake Schatz, 20 Max Northcote-Green, 21 Scott Steele, 22 Theo Brophy Clews, 23 Topsy Ojo 

Date: Saturday, October 28
Venue: Allianz Park
Kick-off: 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Jackson
Assistant referees: Paul Burton, Roy Maybank
TMO: David Sainsbury

Bath v Gloucester

Bath's Nathan Catt will make his first start of the season in the West Country derby against Gloucester at the Recreation Ground on Sunday.

Catt, who made his 150th appearance for the club as a replacement last week, starts at loosehead prop, with Tom Dunn and Anthony Perenise continuing alongside him.

The squad sees one other change to that which beat Scarlets, with the return of Matt Banahan on the left wing, and includes all eight players who were called-up for international duty this week.

Rhys Priestland, who was recalled by Wales for their four-match series, continues at fly-half, after a match-winning performance against his former club. Priestland and his half-back partner Kahn Fotuali’i will be looking to pull the strings once again in round seven of the Premiership. 

For the third match running, Max Clark and Jonathan Joseph form the centre partnership, whilst Banahan comes in for Aled Brew on the left wing. Semesa Rokoduguni and Anthony Watson line-up on the right wing and fullback respectively to complete the back three.

Charlie Ewels captaining the side at second row alongside Luke Charteris, as Taulupe Faletau, who scored a hat-trick in this fixture last season at the Rec, takes his place at number eight. Zach Mercer and Sam Underhill join Faletau in the back row.

There’s a welcome return to action for club captain Matt Garvey, who is named among the replacements.

Meanwhile, Ed Slater has  been named in the Gloucester starting line-up for this fixture. The second row returns to partner Tom Savage in the boiler room having missed the past three games due to a finger injury. Also returning from injury are Jeremy Thrush, Andy Symons and Ollie Thorley who are all named amongst the replacements.

However, a new addition to the injury list following the Agen game last week is full-back Jason Woodward, which forces a reshuffle in the backs, with Billy Burns set to wear the number 15 shirt and Owen Williams moving back to fly-half from inside centre.

Sunday will be head coach Johan Ackermann's first experience of a West Country derby and, speaking to the local media this week, he admitted that he's heard lots about it but that the team will go into the game having prepared as they always do.

"I've heard a few people talking about it, but have to admit that I'm not too sure about the whole history of it," he said.

"But to me it's quite important that we treat it as just another game. We play a lot of games and you can't make one game more special than another, your focus must be the same.

"We have to work hard to reach our standards and be proud of the jersey that we wear every game. I believe that your process of what you want to achieve has to be the same for every single game.

"Bath have started very well in the Premiership. Last week they showed that they can play in all kinds of conditions. They have a quality team and are also getting some players back from injury. So, they're going to be strong.

"I know Todd Blackadder from coaching against him in Super Rugby and I have the highest respect for what he's achieved as a player and a coach. I know it's going to be a massive challenge on Sunday.

The teams:

Bath: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Max Clark, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Zach Mercer, 5 Charlie Ewels (c), 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Nathan Catt 
Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Matt Garvey, 21 Darren Allinson, 22 Josh Lewis, 23 Aled Brew

Gloucester: 15 Billy Burns, 14 Henry Purdy, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 David Halaifonua, 10 Owen Williams, 9 Willi Heinz (c), 8 Ben Morgan 7 Lewis Ludlow, 6 Ruan Ackermann, 5 Ed Slater; 4 Tom Savage, 3 John Afoa, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Josh Hohneck
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Val Rapava Ruskin, 18 Gareth Denman, 19 Jeremy Thrush, 20 Jacob Rowan, 21 Ben Vellacott, 22 Andy Symons, 23 Ollie Thorley

Date: Sunday, October 29
Venue: Recreation Ground
Kick-off: 16:00 BST (15:00 GMT)
Referee: Tom Foley
Assistant referees: Anthony Woodthorpe, Paul Dix
TMO: Stuart Terheege

Newcastle Falcons v Leicester Tigers

Newcastle Falcons captain Will Welch will make his 200th competitive appearance for the club in this Premiership fixture.

Sunday’s game sees fly-half Toby Flood starting his first Premiership game since rejoining the club. Sinoti Sinoti, Vereniki Goneva, Sonatane Takulua and Juan Pablo Socino return to the back-line after missing last week’s 21-20 European Challenge Cup victory at Bordeaux-Begles.

Hooker Kyle Cooper, flanker Mark Wilson and number eight Nili Latu return in the pack, with Welch confident the Falcons can take their Challenge Cup form back into the league after a Premiership return of four wins from six.

Hosting a Tigers side who were one-point winners on their last visit to the North East just under a year ago, Welch said: “Leicester are coming up here on the back of some good wins of their own and it’s going to be a tough encounter, but hopefully one that we can come out on top of.

“We have a lot of links to Leicester throughout our coaching and playing team so we know what they’re about, and they’re a quality outfit. They’re physical, they’re abrasive up front and they have a quality back line who can play the ball, so they have threats across the field. We’ve really got to make sure we’re on the money.

“While it’s important to understand what Leicester will bring to the table the main thing is making sure we impose our own game onto them. There’s only so much you can do in terms of worrying about another team, and it’s mainly about ensuring we get our own game right on the day. We’ve shown over the past few months that if we do what we talk about we’re a very good side. We’re more than a match for anyone, and that’s what we need to concentrate on.”

Meanwhile, Adam Thompstone is included in the Leicester Tigers squad for the first time this season.

The club’s top try-scorer in 2016/17, Thompstone is available again after recovering from a neck injury and is named among the replacements for the Round 7 fixture at Kingston Park.

Brendon O’Connor returns to the Tigers starting line-up, with Mathew Tait and Matt Smith teaming up at centre after injury to Matt Toomua and Gareth Owen in the win over Castres last weekend. Smith makes his 150th starting appearance for the club and plays his 210th first-team game since his club debut in 2006.

Alongside Thompstone on the bench, there are also calls for Harry Thacker and Harry Wells as cover among the forwards.

Tigers head coach Matt O’Connor said: “We need to show Newcastle the respect they deserve. They’re playing good rugby, they deserve their place in the league table and they’ve got some good results already. We will have to be good on the things we did against Castres last week and deliver on the intensity we need.”

The teams:

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Juan Pablo Socino, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Nili Latu, 7 Will Welch (c), 6 Mark Wilson, 5 Sean Robinson, 4 Calum Green, 3 Jon Welsh, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Rob Vickers 
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Sami Mavinga, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Will Witty, 20 Ally Hogg, 21 Michael Young, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 Maxime Mermoz

Leicester Tigers: 15 Telusa Veainu, 14 Nick Malouf, 13 Matt Smith, 12 Mathew Tait, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Brendon O’Connor, 6 Valentino Mapapalangi, 5 Graham Kitchener, 4 Dom Barrow, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs (c), 1 Ellis Genge 
Replacements: 16 Harry Thacker, 17 Greg Bateman, 18 Pat Cilliers, 19 Harry Wells, 20 Luke Hamilton, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Adam Thompstone

Date: Sunday, October 28
Venue: Kingston Park
Kick-off: 16:00 BST (15:00 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant referees: Peter Allan, Hamish Smales
TMO: Sean Davey