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Leicester kick off their Guinness Premiership campaign on Sunday and new boss Heyneke Meyer's influence on the Tigers has already won acclaim.

South African Meyer (pictured), who masterminded the Blue Bulls' memorable Super 14 title success last year, launches his reign against Gloucester at Kingsholm after replacing Marcelo Loffreda earlier this summer.

And Leicester forwards coach Richard Cockerill believes Meyer has wasted little time making his mark.

"Heyneke has a very clear direction of where he wants to go and how to get there," Cockerill said.

"He is a very good leader on and off the field, so everyone knows what is wanted from him.

"He comes to Leicester without a huge amount of knowledge of northern hemisphere rugby, so a lot of players have a clean slate.

"There are no pre-conceptions of the guys, so everyone will get a fair crack on what he sees and not what he has heard.

"He's brought in his core values, which are very much in line with the club's, but also sat back and seen how we operate.

"From that, he has developed a blend, and as time has gone on he's stamped his authority on the club."

Meyer though, has been unable to escape early-season injury problems, with Martin Corry, Lewis Moody, Martin Castrogiovanni, Louis Deacon and Derick Hougaard all unavailable this weekend.

Gloucester, meanwhile, whose Premiership title hopes were ended by Leicester in a dramatic Kingsholm semi-final last term, will go into battle under the captaincy of England centre Mike Tindall.

Worcester have lost their influential skipper Pat Sanderson for the trip to newly-promoted Northampton tomorrow, with a quad muscle injury also set to rule him out of next week's clash against Wasps.

Warriors rugby director Mike Ruddock said: "We are disappointed to lose our captain, as he is an inspirational figure.

"However, it is a long season and there is now an opportunity for other very talented players in his absence."

Lock Greg Rawlinson takes over leadership duties as Worcester seek a sixth successive victory in all competitions at Franklin's Gardens, while Northampton - bolstered by six summer signings - play their first Premiership game for 16 months.

England star Mathew Tait, who quit Newcastle for Sale Sharks earlier this year, makes a rapid return to Kingston Park tomorrow, where he will oppose his brother Alex in a battle of the number 15s.

The jury is still out on whether Tait's best position is full-back or outside centre, and his new boss at Sale, Philippe Saint-Andre, intends keeping an open mind.

Saint-Andre said: "Mathew has played full-back, wing and outside centre - he has so much potential and is a good addition to the squad.

"I like players who can play in different positions. In two or three months, I will have an idea of his best position, but he's quick and has good technique.

"Full-back could be a very good position, but he can do so many different jobs. There is more to come from Mathew - he is not the finished article."

Newcastle will be without Jonny Wilkinson, who is given further time to recover from summer shoulder surgery, but Bath welcome back their fly-half talisman Butch James against Memorial Stadium hosts Bristol tomorrow.

James, who has been on Tri-Nations duty with South Africa, features in a Bath line-up that also includes Australian lock Justin Harrison and ex-Leeds Carnegie forward Stuart Hooper.

SportingLife / Eurosport