Mako Vunipola starts for Saracens after England confusion

Adam Kyriacou

Saracens' Mako Vunipola

There’s three games in the Premiership on Saturday and one on Sunday, with the action kicking off between holders Saracens and Leicester Tigers.

Saturday

Saracens v Leicester Tigers

Saracens have made nine changes for the visit of Leicester Tigers in the Premiership.

The Men in Black came from behind to win 27-21 at Northampton Saints last time out despite losing three senior players in Jackson Wray, Duncan Taylor and Alex Goode in the first half.

Scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth’s experience proved invaluable and he continues at nine alongside young fly-half Manu Vunipola while Brad Barritt returns to the midfield.

Dom Morris joins the captain in the centre and Matt Gallagher comes in at full-back to complete the backline amendments.

The front-row is completely fresh from the trip to Franklin’s Gardens. England international Mako Vunipola returns to club action at loosehead and is joined up front by hooker Tom Woolstencroft and tighthead Vincent Koch.

Senior academy duo Joel Kpoku and Sean Reffell are named at lock and openside flanker respectively with Calum Clark also an addition to the back-row.

On the bench, Mike Rhodes could make his first appearance of the campaign and will enjoy his 93rd club outing should he enter the fray.

Meanwhile, Sione Kalamafoni will lead out Leicester on Saturday.

Tonga international Kalamafoni captains Tigers and is joined in the back-row by Harry Wells and Tommy Reffell.

There are changes in the tight five of the pack as Nephi Leatigaga, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Joe Heyes combine in the front-row, with Will Spencer and Joe Batley at lock.

Calum Green returns from a facial injury to take a place alongside Greg Bateman and Dan Cole among the replacements.

Johnny McPhillips, scorer of the winning points in last Saturday’s triumph against Worcester Warriors, and Joe Thomas make their first Premiership starts in the backline, and Rory Hughes joins the back three alongside internationals Jonah Holmes and Telusa Veainu.

Form: Saracens’ last six matches in Gallagher Premiership Rugby have resulted in three wins and three defeats. Sarries have lost only once at home in Premiership Rugby since Leicester beat them in February 2018: 25-27 to Northampton on the opening round this season. Leicester Tigers’ last six matches in Premiership Rugby have ended in three wins, two defeats and a draw. The Tigers have not won away from home in Gallagher Premiership Rugby since a trip to Newcastle in April 2019. Saracens have lost just once in their last eight fixtures against Leicester in Premiership Rugby: 20-28 at Allianz Park in February 2018.

The teams:

Saracens: 15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Rotimi Segun, 13 Dom Morris, 12 Brad Barritt (c), 11 Alex Lewington, 10 Manu Vunipola, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Calum Clark, 7 Sean Reffell, 6 Nick Isiekwe, 5 Joel Kpoku, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Tom Woolstencroft, 1 Mako Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Jack Singleton, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Titi Lamositele, 19 Callum Hunter-Hill, 20 Mike Rhodes, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Tom Whiteley, 23 Ali Crossdale

Leicester Tigers: 15 Telusa Veainu, 14 Jonah Holmes, 13 Joe Thomas, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Rory Hughes, 10 Johnny McPhillips, 9 Ben White, 8 Sione Kalamafoni (c), 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Harry Wells, 5 Joe Batley, 4 Will Spencer, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Nephi Leatigaga
Replacements: 16 Jake Kerr, 17 Greg Bateman, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Calum Green, 20 Ifereimi Boladau, 21 Harry Simmons, 22 Tom Hardwick, 23 George Worth

Venue: Allianz Park
Kick-off: 13:00 GMT
Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson, Roy Maybank
TMO: Graham Hughes

Exeter Chiefs v Bath

Exeter Chiefs will be looking to finish this latest four-game block in the Premiership on a high note with victory over Bath at Sandy Park.

Having accrued decent victories over Gloucester and Northampton Saints, the table-topping Chiefs were undone at the death last weekend as Harlequins secured a 34-30 victory, courtesy of a penalty try deep into added on time.

Despite the defeat, the Chiefs still lead the way after 12 rounds of battle and will be led on Saturday by young fly-half Joe Simmonds.

Simmonds lines up in an unchanged Exeter back division, but there are changes up front with England international Harry Williams returning at tighthead in place of Enrique Pieretto, while Jonny Hill returns to the starting line-up with Sam Skinner away on international duty with Scotland.

Pieretto is added to the bench, alongside fellow prop Ben Moon, while summer signing Will Witty offers back-up to the Exeter engine room. The only other change sees England and British & Irish Lions back Jack Nowell figure in a Chiefs squad for the first time since mid-January.

Meanwhile, Bath have made five changes to the starting XV for the trip to face the Chiefs.

Zach Mercer comes back into the side, replacing number eight Taulupe Faletau who has been named on the bench for Wales’ Six Nations match against England.

Christian Judge also returns, coming into the front-row for Will Stuart, who is in the England matchday squad.

Beno Obano swaps in for Lewis Boyce, whilst Will Chudley comes in at scrum-half for Rhys Webb – who will be alongside Faletau at Twickenham. Max Wright replaces Josh Matavesi in midfield, with Jackson Willison moving to inside centre.

Form: Exeter Chiefs were defeated 30-34 at Harlequins on Saturday but have not lost back-to-back fixtures in Gallagher Premiership Rugby since February 2018. The Chiefs have lost two of their last three home games in all tournaments. They have also been defeated twice at Sandy Park in Premiership Rugby this season, by Bristol Bears in Round 4 and Sale Sharks in Round 9. Bath’s three game winning run in Gallagher Premiership Rugby ended with their home defeat to Bristol on Sunday. Bath have won two of their last three away games in Premiership Rugby, being successful on trips to London Irish in Round 6 and Worcester Warriors in Round 10. Bath’s victory at home to Exeter in Round 2 ended a five-game losing run to The Chiefs in Premiership Rugby, whilst they have not achieved a season’s double over the Devonians since 2013/14. Bath have not won at Sandy Park since October 2016.

The teams:

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Tom O’Flaherty, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Tom Hendrickson, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Joe Simmonds (c), 9 Nic White, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Jannes Kirsten, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Alec Hepburn
Replacements: 16 Jordon Poole, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Will Witty, 20 Don Armand, 21 Jack Maunder, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Jack Nowell

Bath: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Max Wright, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Will Chudley, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Francois Louw (c), 6 Mike Williams, 5 Elliott Stooke, 4 Josh McNally, 3 Christian Judge, 2 Jack Walker, 1 Beno Obano
Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Lewis Boyce, 18 Sam Nixon, 19 Tom Ellis, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Ollie Fox, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Tom De Glanville

Venue: Sandy Park
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant referees: Adam Leal, Phil Watters
TMO: Keith Lewis

Wasps v Gloucester

Lima Sopoaga will start at full-back for Wasps against Gloucester on Saturday in Round 13 of the Premiership at Ricoh Arena.

The All Black is one of four changes to the starting line-up, with lock Charlie Matthews, hooker Tom Cruse and tighthead prop Kieran Brookes also given the nod to play the Cherry and Whites.

Lock Tim Cardall is called up to the replacements while Dan Robson captains the side once again, against his former club.

In the back-row, Jack Willis will be looking to build on his 26 Premiership turnovers so far this season, which is 11 ahead of his nearest competitor.

Meanwhile, Lloyd Evans will make his first Premiership start of the season as Gloucester make four changes to their starting line-up for Saturday’s trip to play Wasps.

Evans has worn the number 10 shirt in both the Premiership Rugby Cup and Champions Cup so far this season and featured in the club’s last two Premiership outings.

Evans’ inclusion, with Danny Cipriani named amongst the replacements, is one of four changes to the team that started against Sale Sharks last Friday. The other change in the backs sees Louis Rees-Zammit return on the wing.

Up front, Alex Craig comes into the second-row for Ed Slater who is named amongst the replacements and Lewis Ludlow is named at openside flanker with Ruan Ackermann moving across to number eight.

Form: Wasps’ only defeat in the last four rounds of Gallagher Premiership Rugby was 9-18 at Leicester Tigers on 15 February. Wasps beat Saracens 60-10 in their most recent fixture at Ricoh Arena but they have not won successive encounters in Premiership Rugby at the venue since April 2018. Gloucester have lost their last four Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches since beating Bath at Kingsholm on 4 January. Gloucester’s only away win in any tournament since last April was 18-16 at Sale in the opening round of Gallagher Premiership Rugby this season. Gloucester are unbeaten in their last four fixtures against Wasps in Premiership Rugby since the West Midlander’s 49-24 victory in Coventry in December 2017. Gloucester’s only previous victory at Ricoh Arena came on their most recent visit in October 2018.

The teams:

Wasps: 15 Lima Sopoaga, 14 Marcus Watson, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Jimmy Gopperth, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Dan Robson (c), 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Jack Willis, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Charlie Matthews, 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Tom Cruse, 1 Ben Harris
Replacements: 16 Gabriel Oghre, 17 Tom West, 18 Biyi Alo, 19 Tim Cardall, 20 Ben Morris, 21 Will Porter, 22 Sam Spink, 23 Paolo Odogwu

Gloucester: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Billy Twelvetrees, 12 Mark Atkinson, 11 Ollie Thorley, 10 Lloyd Evans, 9 Callum Braley, 8 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Lewis Ludlow, 6 Jake Polledri, 5 Franco Mostert (c), 4 Alex Craig, 3 Fraser Balmain, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Josh Hohneck
Replacements: 16 Henry Walker, 17 Alex Seville, 18 Ciaran Knight, 19 Ed Slater, 20 Aaron Hinkley, 21 Charlie Chapman, 22 Danny Cipriani, 23 Tom Seabrook

Venue: Ricoh Arena
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT
Referee: Ian Tempest
Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley, Gareth Holsgrove
TMO: Trevor Fisher

Sunday

Bristol Bears v Harlequins

Bristol Bears go in search of a fifth straight victory in the Premiership when Harlequins visit Ashton Gate on Sunday.

Pat Lam makes six changes to his team, as Henry Purdy returns to the backline in place of Piers O’Conor (ankle).

Harry Randall also comes into the starting line-up, while Will Capon and John Afoa are named in the front-row.

In the back-row, Bristol welcome back Dan Thomas and Nathan Hughes for the round 13 clash.

Bryan Byrne is listed among the replacements and could make his competitive debut for the club from the bench.

For Harlequins, Paul Gustard and his coaching group have made only two changes to the starting XV that beat Exeter last weekend.

Luke Northmore makes his first Premiership appearance since picking up an injury in the middle of January and will be hoping to continue his impressive form from earlier in the season, starting on the wing.

Flanker Will Evans is named on the bench, having missed out last week through a minor injury, and New Zealand centre Francis Saili is in the matchday 23 again as he continues his return after a long lay-off.

Winger Chris Ashton, who joined the club recently, has not yet recovered from a small knock but is expected to be available in the coming weeks.

Form: Bristol Bears have won their last four Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches and another victory would set a new Bears record in the competition. Bristol have lost just once at Ashton Gate in any tournament since the end of March last year: 21-26 to Wasps in Round 7 of Premiership Rugby. Harlequins have won just twice in the last six rounds of Gallagher Premiership Rugby, both at home, to Saracens in Round 9 and Exeter Chiefs last weekend. The Londoner’s only away win in Premiership Rugby in the last 12 months was 28-22 at Wasps on 21 December. Harlequins have lost just once in their last ten Gallagher Premiership Rugby encounters with Bristol: 1320 at Ashton Gate in September 2018.

The teams:

Bristol Bears: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Alapati Leiua, 12 Sam Bedlow, 11 Henry Purdy, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Harry Randall, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Steven Luatua (c), 5 Joe Joyce, 4 Chris Vui, 3 John Afoa, 2 Will Capon, 1 Yann Thomas
Replacements: 16 Bryan Byrne, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 Ed Holmes, 20 Jake Heenan, 21 Andy Uren, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Ioan Lloyd

Harlequins: 15 Aaron Morris, 14 Luke Northmore, 13 Tom Penny, 12 Paul Lasike, 11 Gabriel Ibitoye, 10 Brett Herron, 9 Danny Care, 8 Alex Dombrandt, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 6 James Chisholm, 5 Matt Symons, 4 Glen Young, 3 Simon Kerrod, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Mark Lambert
Replacements: 16 Jack Musk, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Will Collier, 19 Tevita Cavubati, 20 Will Evans, 21 Niall Saunders, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Francis Saili

Venue: Ashton Gate
Kick-off: 13:00 GMT
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Assistant referees: Andrew Jackson, Peter Allan
TMO: Stuart Terheege

 

Bath