Saturday, January 5

Wasps (8) v Leeds Carnegie (12)

England flanker Joe Worsley makes his first start since the World Cup, having recovered from a serious hamstring injury, to pack down in the Wasps back-row alongside Tom Rees and Lawrence Dallaglio. Injuries sideline Phil Vickery (calf strain), James Haskell (sore ankle) and Tom Voyce (knee), but prop Tim Payne and hooker Raphael Ibanez return after being rested last weekend.

Leeds face a daunting trip to Adams Park, showing one enforced change after their 34-20 home defeat against Sale Sharks last Sunday. Eighteen-year-old flanker Calum Clark replaces a concussed Rhys Oakley, while wing Tom Biggs needs one try to equal Dan Scarbrough's all-time Leeds club record of 37 touchdowns.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last six league matches: Wasps L W L W D W, Leeds Carnegie L W L L L L

Top try scorers: Paul Sackey (Wasps) 4; Tom Biggs (Leeds Carnegie) 4

Top point scorers: Daniel Cipriani (Wasps) 152; Alberto Di Bernardo (Leeds Carnegie) 97

Sunday, January 6

Bristol (9) v Saracens (3)

England World Cup hooker Mark Regan is back in the Bristol line-up after being rested for last Saturday's 27-0 defeat against Gloucester. Regan replaces Scott Linklater, with three other changes from that game seeing centre Neil Brew, fly-half Jason Strange and flanker Joe El Abd all handed starts.

Saracens rugby director Alan Gaffney has made several changes for the Memorial Stadium clash after a surprise home defeat against Newcastle last weekend. Centre Andy Farrell, fly-half Glen Jackson, flanker Richard Hill and number eight Ben Skirving are among several players recalled, while prop Matias Aguero is handed a full debut.

Last season: Saracens 36 Bristol 5, Bristol 13 Saracens 13

Last six league matches: Bristol L W W L D L, Saracens W W L W W L

Top try scorers: Tom Arscott & David Lemi (Bristol) 4; Richard Haughton & Adam Powell (Saracens) 4

Top point scorers: Jason Strange (Bristol) 66; Glen Jackson (Saracens) 134

Harlequins (6) v Leicester (5)

England number eight Nick Easter faces a late fitness test as Quins prepare to tackle the reigning Premiership champions. Easter suffered a knee injury that forced him off during the narrow victory over Worcester last Saturday, but rugby director Dean Richards hopes to name an unchanged side following that 10-7 success. Chris Hala'ufia is Easter's likely replacement if he misses out.

Martin Corry is back at number eight and captain for Leicester after missing the narrow win against London Irish. Corry's England colleague Lewis Moody, meanwhile, has recovered from injury to also start, while other changes include lock Ben Kay replacing Marco Wentzel and fly-half Andy Goode taking over from Ian Humphreys.

Last season: Leicester 27 Harlequins 22, Harlequins 15 Leicester 21

Last six league matches: Harlequins W L W L L W, Leicester L L W W L W

Top try scorers: Simon Keogh (Harlequins) 4; Tom Varndell (Leicester) 3

Top point scorers: Chris Malone (Harlequins) 106; Andy Goode (Leicester) 120

London Irish (10) v Sale Sharks (4)

Shane Geraghty moves from fly-half to centre as replacement for broken hand victim Seilala Mapusua, who faces between six and eight weeks out. Eoghan Hickey features at number 10, with changes in the pack seeing starts for prop Tonga Lea'aetoa, lock Bob Casey and number eight Richard Thorpe.

New Zealand import Luke McAlister returns for Sale after missing the win against Leeds because of a leg injury. McAlister takes over from Chris Mayor, partnering Lee Thomas in midfield, with three other changes all being made in the front-row as Andrew Sheridan, Sebastien Bruno and Eifion Roberts start.

Last season: Sale 9 London Irish 14, London Irish 14 Sale 31

Last six league matches: London Irish L L W L W L, Sale W L W W W W

Top try scorers: David Paice (London Irish) 3; Ben Foden & Lee Thomas (Sale) 4

Top point scorers: Delon Armitage (London Irish) 68; Charlie Hodgson (Sale) 149

Newcastle (7) v Worcester (11)

Newcastle are unchanged from the side that defeated in-form Saracens 22-19. Centre Jamie Noon again skippers the Falcons as he makes his 200th first team start, while Lee Dickson, Sean Tomes and Russell Winter all return for bench duties after missing the Saracens clash through illness.

Former Newcastle back Loki Crichton replaces Shane Drahm as Worcester's fly-half for the trip to Kingston Park. Crichton is among three changes following the home defeat against Harlequins last time out, with wing Miles Benjamin handed a first Premiership start instead of an injured Marcel Garvey, and prop Darren Morris replacing Matt Mullan.

Last season: Worcester 23 Newcastle 21, Newcastle 20 Worcester 19

Last six league matches: Newcastle W L L L L W, Worcester L L L L L L

Top try scorers: Tom May (Newcastle) 4; Loki Crichton, Marcel Garvey & Pat Sanderson (Worcester) 2

Top point scorers: Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle) 115; Shane Drahm (Worcester) 114

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