Harlequins (6) v Gloucester (1)

England number eight Nick Easter returns for Harlequins, replacing an injured Tom Guest, following last weekend's impressive away win against Saracens. Axed England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall is also back, but he has to be content with a place on the bench as in-form Danny Care retains the number nine shirt.

Fly-half Ryan Lamb misses out for Gloucester due to shoulder bruising, so Willie Walker deputises alongside half-back partner Rory Lawson. England backs Iain Balshaw and Lesley Vainikolo start, while flanker Akapusi Qera takes over from Andy Hazell, who is nursing a slight neck injury.

Last season: Gloucester 34 Harlequins 25, Harlequins 21 Gloucester 31

Last six league matches: Harlequins L W L L W W; Gloucester W L W L L W

Top tryscorers: Simon Keogh & Steve So'oialo (Harlequins) 4; Lesley Vainikolo (Gloucester) 7

Top pointscorers: Chris Malone (Harlequins) 114; Ryan Lamb (Gloucester) 179

Leicester (2) v Leeds Carnegie (12)

Scrum-half Harry Ellis returns after 10 months out battling a knee injury, featuring among the Leicester replacements. Ellis is joined on the bench by Castrogiovanni, while England's Tom Croft starts in the second-row and prop Julian White is back after serving a ban.

Leeds boss Stuart Lancaster makes seven changes from the side beaten by Bath last weekend, with six of those changes being up front, where only prop Mike MacDonald and lock Erik Lund remain. Adam Balding, who recently agreed an extended loan deal with Leeds, packs down against his former club, while fly-half Alberto di Bernardo replaces James Brooks.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last six league matches: Leicester W W W W L L Leeds Carnegie L L L L L L

Top tryscorers: Tom Varndell (Leicester) 6; Tom Biggs (Leeds Carnegie) 5

Top pointscorers: Andy Goode (Leicester) 201; Alberto Di Bernardo (Leeds Carnegie) 143

London Irish (8) v Saracens (5)

Centre Seilala Mapusua has recovered from a hand injury which has sidelined him since December 29 to partner Delon Armitage in Irish's midfield. Elsewhere, scrum-half Paul Hodgson has returned from England duty and Mike Catt continues at number 10.

Full-back Dan Scarbrough makes his first Saracens start for almost five months after recovering from knee surgery, while Cobus Visagie, Hugh Vyvyan, Ben Skirving and David Seymour return up front following last weekend's home defeat against Harlequins. Fly-half Glen Jackson is also back, but Kevin Sorrell (ankle) and Andy Farrell (rib) are sidelined.

Last season: London Irish 7 Saracens 22, Saracens 19 London Irish 8

Last six league matches: London Irish W L W W W W; Saracens L L W W L L

Top tryscorers: Delon Armitage, David Paice & Sailosi Tagicakibau (London Irish) 4; Richard Haughton & Adam Powell (Saracens) 4

Top pointscorers: Peter Hewat (London Irish) 104; Glen Jackson (Saracens) 210

Sunday, March 2

Bristol (10) v Bath (3)

England hooker Mark Regan has to be content with a place on the Bristol bench for the Ashton Gate clash against his former club. Scott Linklater keeps the number two shirt, with head coach Richard Hill making two changes from the side pipped by Wasps last weekend as lock Gareth Llewellyn and back-row forward Andrew Blowers both start. Ed Barnes, meanwhile, remains at fly-half.

England flanker Michael Lipman makes his 100th appearance for Bath in a side further boosted by the return of his fellow internationals Lee Mears, Matt Stevens and Steve Borthwick. Behind the scrum, Shaun Berne is at inside centre, with Joe Maddock taking over from full-back Nick Abendanon and Michael Stephenson starting on the wing.

Last season: Bristol 16 Bath 6, Bath 12 Bristol 19

Last six league matches: Bristol D L W L W L; Bath W L W L L W

Top tryscorers: Tom Arscott (Bristol) 5; Matthew Banahan (Bath) 7

Top pointscorers: Jason Strange (Bristol) 99; Olly Barkley (Bath) 148