Saturday

Gloucester v London Wasps, 3pm
The curse of Lesley Vainikolo’s knees has struck again, though Gloucester insist that the wing will be fit to join England for the opening RBS Six Nations Championship match on February 2. Andy Hazell, whose knee injury has kept him out since November, returns. Peter Buxton captains from Gloucester’s crisis position of lock. Wasps, the last side to beat Gloucester, the leaders, at Kingsholm in the Guinness Premiership – 17 games ago on May 6, 2006 – are suffering after their defeat in Munster, with three international players injured.

Leicester v Newcastle Falcons, 3pm
After resting them against Leinster, Leicester wheel back the big guns, with George Chuter, Ben Kay, Lewis Moody and Martin Corry, the captain, returning. Ben Herring, the Wellington open-side flanker, is out under the rule that restricts teams to one foreign player, with Marcos Ayerza included. Newcastle also have their leading players back after their romp against Cetransa El Salvador. Newcastle have won once at Welford Road in the Premiership, in 1997, but drew in 2005.

Worcester Warriors v Bristol, 3pm
Worcester have not won in the Premiership this season, Bristol have not won on the road in the league for more than a year. Pat Sanderson, the Worcester captain, returns. Bristol, who thrashed Worcester 41-11 at Sixways last season, stick largely to their Heineken Cup side. There are three changes, including Neil Brew, who has a knee injury, being replaced by his fellow New Zealander, David Hill, at centre.

Sunday

Saracens v Bath 1.30pm,
Sky Sports 1
Two of the title contenders meet. Bath have won on three of their past four visits to Watford but were trounced 55-23 there in 2006. Adam Powell, David Seymour and Tom Ryder replace Kevin Sorrell (ankle), Richard Hill (rested) and Chris Jack, who has returned to New Zealand for a family commitment. Kameli Ratuvou is rested again. Olly Barkley is one of the returning Bath players after a weakened side beat Auch and he slots in at No 12 next to Butch James.

Leeds Carnegie v London Irish, 3pm
London Irish have not won on the road in the Premiership since March 10 last season, but Leeds are not filling visiting teams with fear. Stuart Hooper, the captain, misses out again with a shoulder injury. Peter Richards’s misfortune has opened the door for Paul Hodgson, who trained with England last Monday and will make his 100th appearance for Irish. He is one of six changes to the side that qualified for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals. Words by Matthew Pryor