To say that the Guinness Premiership is in the pink will be emphasised in the literal sense this weekend, when England's elite clubs support breast cancer awareness with outbreaks of one of rugby's less traditional colours. But the metaphorical sense is true, too, given the intensity of the struggle for honours and European qualification.

Take Leicester, who have sunk from second to sixth in the past month. Yes, England will have six qualifiers for the 2008-09 Heineken Cup, or seven if London Irish or Saracens reach this season's final. But, unlikely though it may be, if Worcester Warriors or Leeds Carnegie win the European Challenge Cup in May, they would supersede Leicester in the rankings.

That is how uncertain the world is for Leicester, having lost the EDF Energy Cup and slipped out of a Premiership play-offs position. They have Geordan Murphy back against Bristol at Welford Road today after a seven-week absence and Ben Kay plays his third match in eight days, alongside Martin Corry in the second row, but Leicester need a strong display today to blow away the cobwebs of only 12 league points from their past seven games.

Strong displays, too, are needed from London Irish and Saracens before they go into their Heineken Cup semi-finals next weekend. The Irish give Peter Richards his first start against Harlequins in Reading this afternoon. Richards, who damaged his left arm in January, will be at outside centre and Shane Geraghty plays fly half against a Harlequins team featuring David Strettle for the first time since the wing injured his left foot playing for England against Wales.

Saracens must play London Wasps, the form team, who have not won at Vicarage Road since October 2003. It would be a rash man, though, who suggested that they will not win tomorrow after the run of seven successive victories that has carried them into fourth place and when they are able to recall to the pack Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley and Tom Palmer.

Gloucester, at the top of the table, are in a position to end the agony for Leeds. Lose at Kingsholm today and Leeds have not even a mathematical hope of avoiding relegation.