After two bruising rounds of Heineken Cup action the focus in England is firmly back on the Guinness Premiership this weekend.
The English sides suffered a mixed-bag of results in Europe and there are some difficult fixtures for those sides eager to atone for some damaging losses. The round's two big fixtures come at the Madejski Stadium and Kingsholm.
In Reading on Saturday, London Irish have a chance for revenge against Leicester after losing out to the Tigers in last season's Premiership final at Twickenham. Click Here for our Game of the Week Preview.
At Kingsholm, Gloucester will want to bounce back from a heavy defeat to Biarritz against Wasps, who won their opening two European Challenge Cup encounters. Brian Redpath brings All Black Carlos Spencer into the side for his first Guinness Premiership start, while Scottish pair Alasdair Strokosch and Rory Lawson also return for the hosts.
Wasps rest Tom Varndell with David Lemi making his third start since joining during the summer, while Dominic Waldouck, Joe Simpson, Tim Payne, George Skivington, Richard Birkett, John Hart and skipper Serge Betsen all return after being rested against Roma last weekend.
The action kicks off just down the road in Bath, with Steve Meehan's men at a low ebb following two Heineken Cup losses. They face Newcastle, who failed to hit the heights in their two Challenge Cup outings.
Joe Maddock misses out for the home side, giving 22 year old Jack Cuthbert an opportunity on the right wing in the only change from their heartbreaking loss at home to Stade Francais. The visitors make four changes to their team, with Jon Goulding and Rob Vickers coming into the front row and Brent Wilson replacing Josh Afu in the back row. Rob Vickerman returns from a dislocated finger to take up his place at outside centre.
Franklin's Gardens will host a homecoming for Sale wing Ben Cohen, who returns to his old club Northampton for the first time since packing his bags for Brive two seasons ago. Sale are without the injured Andrew Sheridan while Matt Tait returns in the centre. Richard Wigglesworth replaces Wales hopeful Dwayne Peel at scrum half while the Saints are without the suspended Juandre Kruger and Brian Mujati and the injured Santiago Bonorino.
Saturday's action concludes with Worcester hosting troubled Harlequins at Sixways. Quins' last-gasp loss to Toulouse at the Stoop last weekend may have left some scars and John Kingston will need a big performance from his side if they are to overturn the Warriors.
Mike Ruddock makes ten changes to his team from their win over Olympus Rugby with Chris Latham and Scottish call-up Alex Grove among those to return. Netani Talei is set for his 50th appearance for the club. Nick Easter will captain 'Quins in the absence of Will Skinner while second rows James Percival and George Robinson come into the side and Nils Mordt makes his debut at inside centre.
On Sunday, leaders Saracens will be confident of extending their unbeaten league run as they host bottom-placed Leedsat Vicarage Road. Sarries lost their first game of the season away to Toulon last week, so Carnegie may be in fear of a fightback.
Brendan Venter rings the changes after that defeat, with Alex Goode and Justin Marshall among those returning. Leeds make eleven changes with Andy Gomersall and Seru Rabeni coming into the side, while new signing Henry Fa'afili is named on the bench.