"Top Scorer Returns" - Premiership Rugby Preview and Team News Ahead of Round Seven

Once again the Premiership is treating fans to two matches under the famous 'Friday night lights', with Franklin's Gardens and the AJ Bell set to be lit up on a cold November evening. The action commences in the East Midlands tonight, with Northampton Saints and Harlequins both looking to recover from their derby day defeats and return to winning ways.

Meanwhile, some 130 miles north of Northampton, Sale Sharks kick off against Bath Rugby at the AJ Bell Stadium. Both sides ran out victorious in their respective derby matches, yet Sale's 40-22 winning margin against Newcastle was far more emphatic, than the narrow one-point deficit (20-19) that handed Bath the win over Bristol last weekend. Still, a win is a win, and both sides are looking to repeat this feat when they line-up tomorrow evening.

Onto Saturday, and two of the Premiership's struggling sides meet with some crucial points on offer. Eighth and ninth placed Gloucester and Leicester Tigers are set to collide at Kingsholm, with the Cherry and Whites back in action following their bye week. The hosts last run out was a derby defeat, albeit a weekend before the rest, as they took a 45-27 loss to Bath a fortnight ago. The Tigers were victorious in the East Midland's derby, and will eye up another win to start clawing their way up the Premiership table.

Saracens then host Bristol Bears at the Stone X, in a match-up that features numerous England teammates set to become eighty-minute enemies. A strong England contingent will feature from both sides, however their will be a notable omission to Tom Curry, with the Sale flanker suffering from a long-term hip injury. Saracens looked to have kicked into top gear with their international returnees, whilst Bristol aim to rise to the challenge and turn around their recent run of form.

Exeter Chiefs close out the weekend's action in the Sunday fixture once again, as they face the almighty trek to the North East to take on Newcastle. This new Exeter era has been on an upwards trajectory, with the men from Devon currently sat at third in the table. After six weeks of action, the Falcons are still searching for their first win of the Premiership season, as they currently prop up the bottom of the pile.

Here is a run through of all the team news, ahead of this weekend's Gallagher Premiership fixtures.

Northampton Saints vs Harlequins - Franklin's Gardens, 19:45 KO

Northampton Saints Head Coach Phil Dowson has made four changes to his side, following their East Midland's derby defeat to Leicester Tigers last weekend. Ethan Waller, Sam Matavesi, Courtney Lawes and Ollie Sleightholme all return to Northampton’s starting line-up this week, with Sleightholme set to make his first start in a Saints shirt since February.

George Furbank comes in at fly-half for the 12th time in his career. Regularly utilised at fullback, Furbank wears the 10 jersey following Fin Smith's back injury which curtailed his day against Leicester. The Saints back-row features Tom Pearson and Lewis Ludlam, who made more post-contact metres (34) than any other player in the last round of the Premiership. 23-year-old fly half Charlie Savala is named on the bench, with the Australian hoping to make his Northampton Saints debut against Harlequins.

Harlequins welcome a fan favourite back to the famous quarters, as Cadan Murley returns to action in the trip to Franklin's Gardens. Murley has been side-lined with an injury since early October, and the 2022/23 Premiership top try scorer (15 tries) makes his first appearence of the new campaign. Harlequins Director of Rugby Billy Millard has also made three changes in the Quins pack, with promising England prop Fin Baxter starting on the loose-head.

Welsh international Dillon Lewis returns to prop up the tight-head of the scrum, and South African powerhouse Irne Herbst comes back in to pack down the scrum at lock. Herbst partners up with George Hammond to re-form their cohesive second row structure. Quins boast an all-England halfback pairing in Danny Care and Marcus Smith, with Rugby World Cup winner Andre Esterhuizen again named in the midfield. Former London Irish star Will Joseph partners the Springbok, and makes his second Premiership start of the season.

15. George Hendy 14. Ollie Sleightholme 13. Tommy Freeman 12. Fraser Dingwall 11. James Ramm 10. George Furbank 9. Alex Mitchell 1. Ethan Waller 2. Sam Matavesi 3. Trevor Davison 4. Chunya Munga 5. Alex Coles 6. Courtney Lawes 7. Tom Pearson 8. Lewis Ludlam (c)

Replacements
16. Tom Cruse 17. Alex Waller 18. Elliot Millar Mills 19. Tom Lockett 20. Angus Scott-Young 21. Tom James 22. Charlie Savala 23. Tom Litchfield

15. Tyrone Green 14. Cadan Murley 13. Will Joseph 12. Andre Esterhuizen 11. Louis Lynagh 10. Marcus Smith 9. Danny Care 1. Fin Baxter 2. Jack Walker 3. Dillon Lewis 4. Irne Herbst 5. George Hammond 6. Dino Lamb 7. Will Evans 8. Alex Dombrandt (Captain)

16. Nathan Jibulu 17. Santiago Garcia Botta 18. Lovejoy Chawatama 19. Chandler Cunningham-South 20. James Chisholm 21. Will Porter 22. Jarrod Evans 23. Oscar Beard

Sale Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson has named just three changes to his starting XV, after his sides's 40-22 victory over Newcastle Falcons in last Friday's Northern derby. Luke Cowan-Dickie is set for his first start as Sale hooker, and leads the up-front battle with Nick Schonert, who replaces James Harper at tight-head prop. George Ford is back at fly half for this fixture, as Sanderson has picked a primed and ready Sale side, that looks close to as full strength.

However, the Sharks will be without England flanker Tom Curry, who continues to battle a hip injury. Tom's twin brother Ben Curry will captain the side, as he starts on the open-side flank. Another Sale change comes in the replacements, with former Exeter Chiefs winger Tom O'Flaherty back on the bench in his return from injury. Rob du Preez switches roles and is back in the centres, after running out at fly half during Ford's absence at Kingston Park.

Bath Head Coach Johann van Graan has named a rotated side for the trip to the North West, with numerous changes coming in both personnel and positions. Thomas du Toit shifts across the front row from tight-head to loose-head prop, after scoring four tries in five games for the Somerset club. Josh McNally and Ewan Richards return to start in the pack, at lock and blindside flanker respectively.

Johann van Graan has also shuffled the deck in his back-line, with Will Butt and Max Ojomah forming a partnership in the centres. The back three consists of Matt Gallagher and Ruaridh McConnochie on the wings and Tom de Glanville gets the nod to start at fullback.

15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Rob du Preez, 12. Sam Bedlow, 11. Arron Reed, 10. George Ford, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Nick Schonert, 4. Cobus Wiese, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Ernst van Rhyn, 7. Ben Curry, 8. Dan du Preez.

16. Agustin Creevy, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. James Harper, 19. Josh Beaumont, 20. Sam Dugdale, 21. Nye Thomas, 22. Sam James, 23. Tom O’Flaherty.

15. Tom de Glanville 14. Ruaridh McConnochie 13. Max Ojomah 12. Will Butt 11. Matt Gallagher 10. Finn Russell 9. Louis Schreuder 1. Thomas du Toit 2. Niall Annett 3. Johannes Jonker 4. Josh McNally 5. GJ Van Velze 6. Ewan Richards 7. Chris Coetzee 8. Jacob Coetzee

16. Tom Dunn 17. Juan Schoeman 18. Archie Griffin 19. Fergus Lee-Warner 20. Nahum Merigan 21. Ben Spencer 22. Orlando Bailey 23. Cameron Redpath

Gloucester Rugby vs Leicester Tigers - Kingsholm Stadium, 14:30 KO

This match-up between Gloucester and Leicester Tigers has added significance, as the fixture will be contested for the Slater Cup. The former captain of both Gloucester and Leicester, Ed Slater's inspiration in his fight against MND, will be driving on both sides for the victory at Kingsholm. With the contest introduced last season alongside the remarkable 4ED Campaign, Leicester are the current holders of the trophy and will be eager to retain the silverware at the home of Gloucester.

Leicester captain Julien Montoya returns to the starting line-up, in his first game back for the club since completing his Argentina duties at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Tigers centre Matt Scott also gets his first start of the Premiership season, earning the opportunity to line-up alongside Dan Kelly in the midfield. The rest of the Tigers starting XV is unchanged, and there are two milestone caps for a couple of half-centurions. South African back-row Jasper Weise is set for his 50th Premiership cap, and fullback Freddie Steward makes his 50th Premiership start.

Gloucester Rugby Head Coach George Skivington has named one change in his forwards pack, with Academy graduate Freddie Thomas coming in to replace the injured Albert Tuisue in the back-row. There is also just one change in the Cherry and Whites back-line, with Italian international Stephen Varney back in at scrum-half, and takes over from Micky Young to supply George Barton at first reciever.

Gloucester want to get their hands on the Slater Cup for the first time, with Kingsholm hosting a double header. Gloucester-Hartpury take on Leicester Tigers Women in Premiership Women's Rugby after the match. The men's match puts the eighth and ninth ranked sides against one another, with crucial points on offer to begin the accent back up the Premiership table.

15. Santi Carreras 14. Louis Rees-Zammit 13. Chris Harris 12. Seb Atkinson 11. Ollie Thorley 10. George Barton 9. Stephen Varney 1. Mayco Vivas 2. George McGuigan 3. Fraser Balmain 4. Freddie Clarke 5. Matias Alemanno 6. Freddie Thomas 7. Lewis Ludlow (C) 8. Jack Clement

16. Santi Socino 17. Harry Elrington 18. Jamal Ford-Robinson 19. Arthur Clark 20. Ben Donnell 21. Micky Young 22. Mark Atkinson 23. Louis Hillman-Cooper

15. Freddie Steward 14. Josh Bassett 13. Matt Scott 12. Dan Kelly 11. Ollie Hassell-Collins 10. Handré Pollard 9. Ben Youngs 1. James Cronin 2. Julián Montoya (c) 3. Joe Heyes 4. Cameron Henderson 5. Ollie Chessum 6. Hanro Liebenberg 7. Tommy Reffell 8. Jasper Wiese

16. Charlie Clare 17. James Whitcombe 18. Dan Cole 19. Harry Wells 20. Matt Rogerson 21. Tom Whiteley 22. Jamie Shillcock 23. Solomone Kata

Saracens are looking for a fifth consecutive win in the Gallagher Premiership, and build on their momentum from their London derby win over Harlequins last weekend. Sarries Director of Rugby Mark McCall has made four changes to his side that won at the Stoop, with three coming in the backs and two in the pack. Tom Willis has been picked to start at blindside flanker, with Billy Vunipola the preferred option at number eight.

Theo McFarland looks set for his return to Saracens action following his injury, yet must bide his time as he takes a seat on the substitutes bench. Olly Hartley will also be looking to build on his try scoring talents that he showcased against Quins. Currently sat at fourth in the Gallagher Premeirship, a win for Saracens would propel them up into the top three, or even the top two dependent on how Sale vs Bath plays out tonight.

Bristol Bears come into the fray hoping for a return to form, after their narrow defeat to Bath in last weekend's Somerset derby. Pat Lam has a centurion amongst his ranks, as Jake Heenan gets set for his 100th Bristol cap in the number six jersey. Bears captain Fritz Harding switches positions to number eight, and the re-shuffled back-row is completed with Dan Thomas at open-side flanker. Max Malins will be chomping at the bit for a run-out against his old club, and the England flyer is named at fullback.

There could be a Bristol Bears debut for Fijian international Kalaveti Ravouvou, who is named amongst Lam's replacements. 19-year-old Bears academy star Paddy Pearce could also get his first taste of Premiership action, as the back-rower is also on the bench. Pearce has had a recent breakthrough in the Premiership Rugby Cup, and will be eager to progress to the bright lights of a domestic league debut at the Stone X.

15. Alex Goode 14. Alex Lewington 13. Elliot Daly 12. Nick Tompkins 11. Tom Parton 10. Owen Farrell (c) 9. Aled Davies 1. Mako Vunipola 2. Jamie George 3. Christian Judge 4. Maro Itoje 5. Hugh Tizard 6. Tom Willis 7. Andy Christie 8. Billy Vunipola

16 Kapeli Pifeleti 17. Eroni Mawi 18. Alec Clarey 19. Theo McFarland 20. Toby Knight 21. Gareth Simpson 22. Olly Hartley 23. Sean Maitland

15. Max Malins 14. Gabriel Ibitoye 13. Virimi Vakatawa 12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg 11. Rich Lane 10. Callum Sheedy 9. Harry Randall 1. Ellis Genge 2. Gabriel Oghre 3. 18. Kyle Sinckler 4. James Dun 5. Joe Batley 6. Jake Heenan 7. Dan Thomas 8. Fitz Harding (c).

Replacements:

16. Harry Thacker 17. Jake Woolmore 18. George Kloska 19. Josh Caulfield 20. Paddy Pearce 21. Kieran Marmion 22. James Williams 23. Kalaveti Ravouvou

Hoping to find their first win of the Premiership season, Newcastle Falcons Head Coach Alex Codling has named Louis Johnson to make his first league start for the club. Johnson has been steadily climbing the ranks at the Falcons since 2021, and will start at fly-half in Sunday's clash against Exeter. A break-out of the England U20s set-up, Johnson has previously made Falcons appearances in the Premiership Rugby Cup, and the 20-year-old brings plenty of playmaking talent to Kingston Park.

Including Johnson, Codling has made seven changes to take on the Chiefs from their defeat to Sale Sharks last Friday. Scintillating wing talent Adam Radwan returns from injury, as does hooker Jamie Blamire who rejoins the front row. Tom Penny is back at full-back, and the former Jersey Reds duo of James Elliott and John Hawkins are named to start at scrum half and lock respectively.

Exeter Chiefs Head Coach Rob Baxter has not made a single change to his side, following their South West derby win over Gloucester. The men from Devon clinched a 25-24 victory over the Cherry and Whites, thanks to the last-minute penalty of Henry Slade. The England hopeful returns to the centre, as does his midfield running-buddy Joe Hawkins. With no changes in the starting side, Baxter's rotations are found amongst the replacements bench.

Max Norey and veteran Alec Hepburn return to the fold after impressing in a Monday night friendly against Bristol Bears. Tom Hendrickson also returns to the squad, and Stu Townsend retains his bench spot after diving over for a try against Gloucester last time out. Following on from his first start of the season last weekend, Aidon Davis earns him a second start in alongside Ethan Roots and Jacques Vermeulen in the Chiefs back-row.

15. Tom Penny 14. Adam Radwan 13. Matias Moroni 12. Cameron Hutchison 11. Iwan Stephens 10. Louie Johnson 9. James Elliott 1. Phil Brantingham 2. Jamie Blamire 3. Eduardo Bello 4. John Hawkins 5. Kiran McDonald 6. Pedro Rubiolo 7. Guy Pepper 8. Callum Chick (c)

16 Bryan Byrne 17. Adam Brocklebank 18. Murray McCallum 19. Philip van der Walt 20. Sam Cross, 21. Hugh O’Sullivan 22. Rory Jennings 23. Louis Brown.

15. Tommy Wyatt 14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso 13. Henry Slade 12. Joe Hawkins 11. Ben Hammersley 10. Harvey Skinner 9. Tom Cairns 1. Scott Sio 2. Jack Yeandle 3. Ehren Painter 4. Rusi Tuima 5. Dafydd Jenkins (c) 6. Jacques Vermeulen 7. Ethan Roots 8. Aidon Davis

16. Max Norey 17. Alec Hepburn 18. Josh Iosefa-Scott 19. Lewis Pearson 20. Ross Vintcent 21. Stu Townsend 22. Will Haydon-Wood 23. Tom Hendrickson