Today

Harlequins v Gloucester, 2.45pm, Sky Sports 2

Fresh from his call-up to the England training squad, Danny Care starts at scrum half against the leaders, with Andy Gomarsall on the bench. After his heroics for England in Paris, Nick Easter returns for Harlequins, with the home team hoping to build on their win away to Saracens last weekend. Gloucester are missing Ryan Lamb (shoulder), so Willie Walker deputises. Iain Balshaw and Lesley Vainikolo also start.

Leicester v Leeds Carnegie, 3pm

After ten months on the sidelines Harry Ellis is fit for Leicester after a serious knee injury and starts on the bench, accompanied by Martin Corry, Andy Goode and Martin Castrogiovanni. Tom Croft starts in the second row and Julian White is back after suspension. Leeds make seven changes from the team beaten by Bath last weekend, six of them up front, where only Mike MacDonald and Erik Lund survive. Adam Balding, who is on loan from Gloucester until the end of the season, plays against one of his former clubs.

London Irish v Saracens, 1.30pm

Paul Hodgson, no doubt disappointed to have missed out on a first cap for England against France last weekend, returns for the exiles alongside Mike Catt. Seilala Mapusua plays his first match since December. After five months out, Dan Scarbrough has recovered from knee surgery for Saracens, while Cobus Visagie, Hugh Vyvyan, Ben Skirving, David Seymour and Glen Jackson return. Kevin Sorrell (ankle) and Andy Farrell (rib) are out.

Tomorrow

Bristol v Bath, 3pm

Mark Regan, dubbed “The Clown” by Marc Lièvremont, the France coach, has to be content with a place on the Bristol bench for the big derby at Ashton Gate. Scott Linklater stays at hooker, while Gareth Llewellyn, the veteran lock, and Andrew Blowers, the flanker, start. Michael Lipman makes his 100th appearance for Bath, who also have Lee Mears, Matt Stevens and Steve Borthwick back from international duty. Shaun Berne is at inside centre and Joe Maddock at full back for Nick Abendanon.