Sale remain an imposing outfit, and while the return of Joe Cokanasiga and Jonathan Joseph in particular are boosts to the hosts, defeating the Sharks at the Rec remains an ask. Jonny Hill will make his first start for the visitors, who boast a bench featuring three more internationals in the shape of Jono Ross, Tom Curry and Joe Simpson. Bath: 15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Will Muir, 10 Piers Francis, 9 Ben Spencer (c); 1 Lewis Boyce, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 4 Dave Attwood, 5 Josh McNally, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Wesley White, 8 Jaco Coetzee; Replacements: 16 Tom Doughty, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Will Spencer, 20 GJ van Velze, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Richard de Carpentier Sale Sharks: 15 Luke James, 14 Tom Roebuck, 13 Sam James, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Gus Warr; 1 Simon McIntyre, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 3 Nick Schonert, 4 Cobus Wiese, 5 Jonny Hill, 6 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Ben Curry (c), 8 Daniel du Preez; Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Ross Harrison, 18 James Harper, 19 Jono Ross, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Joe Simpson, 22 Tom Curtis, 23 Arron Reed Prediction: Sale by six Harlequins vs SaracensSaturday 17 September, 2pm kick-off, coverage starts 2.
30pm on BT Sport 3Joe Marchant, Will Evans and Will Collier will make their first starts of the campaign for the hosts at a sold-out Stoop in this London derby which always has a bit of venom to it. Wales centre Nick Tompkins is set to make his 150th start for Saracens, while their second row Hugh Tizard faces his old club to kick off the campaign for his new one. Harlequins: 15 George Furbank, 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Tom Collins, 10 Dan Biggar (c), 9 Alex Mitchell, 1 Alex Waller, 2 Sam Matavesi, 3 Paul Hill, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5 Alex Moon, 6 Alex Coles, 7 Aaron Hinkley, 8 Juarno Augustus; Replacements: 16 Mike Haywood, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun, 18 Alfie Petch, 19 Brandon Nansen, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Callum Braley, 22 Tom Litchfield, 23 Courtnall Skosan Saracens: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Max Malins, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Alex Lewington, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Ivan van Zyl, 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Tom Woolstencroft, 3 Christian Judge, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Hugh Tizard, 6 Theo McFarland, 7 Ben Earl, 8 Billy Vunipola; Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Andy Christie, 20 Jackson Wray, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Manu Vunipola, 23 Duncan Taylor Prediction: Saracens by 8 More from Rugby UnionLeicester Tigers vs Newcastle FalconsLeicester Tigers’ Hanro Liebenberg starts at No 8 against Newcastle Falcons (Picture:Getty Images)Saturday 17 September, 3pm kick-offTigers hope to get their title defence back on track after a close loss at Exeter by welcoming back England tourists Ollie Chessum, Joe Heyes, Jack van Poortvliet and Guy Porter into the fold.
Bristol Bears | BT Sport