Today

London Irish v London Wasps (Twickenham, 2.30pm) Raphaël Ibañez leads Wasps with Riki Flutey at fly half for the sidelined Danny Cipriani. With Toby Booth in charge, Irish enter uncharted waters. Mike Catt is captain in Bob Casey’s absence.

Saracens v Harlequins (Twickenham, 5pm) Steve Borthwick and Michael Owen make their Saracens debuts and Chris Jack, the New Zealand lock, is at blind-side flanker. Optimism abounds at Harlequins, not least because of the arrival of Nick Evans, the All Blacks fly half.

Tomorrow

Bristol v Bath (3pm) Recruitment at Bristol has been limited, but Robert Sidoli, the lock, is among three new faces, with Junior Fatialofa and Adrian Jarvis at centre and fly half respectively. Bath welcome back Butch James from the Tri-Nations. With Danny Grewcock out, Justin Harrison, the former Australia lock, comes in.

Gloucester v Leicester (4pm, Sky Sports 1) Despite his demotion by England, Gloucester still swear by Mike Tindall. He leads the side against Leicester, who beat them in the play-offs in May. Leicester are without Martin Corry, Derick Hougaard, Lewis Moody, Martin Castrogiovanni and Louis Deacon.

Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks (3pm) With Jonny Wilkinson recovering from shoulder surgery, Newcastle blood Rory Clegg, the Engand Under18 fly half. Alex Tait opposes Mathew, his brother, one of several summer departures. Dwayne Peel starts his first league game for Sale. Andrew Sheridan and Rory Lamont should be on the bench.

Northampton v Worcester Warriors (1.30pm, Sky Sports 1) Ben Foden is among the replacements for Northampton. Chris Latham makes an eagerly awaited debut in a Worcester back three that includes Rico Gear and Miles Benjamin. Words by Mark Souster