Zurich Premiership Preview
October 12, 2001

The Zurich Premiership takes centre stage in England this weekend with the similar scenario of the Leicester Tigers looking to strengthen their hold at the top of the table.

The Tigers travel to the Northampton Saints for the sold-out official opening game for the re-vamped Franklin's Gardens.

The game may see the first appearance of Josh Kronfeld in a Tigers' shirt. The All Blacks legend injured his ankle warming up before the Tigers' first outing of the season against Newcastle. Lewis Moody may push him for a starting jersey as he is also expected to be fit for selection. Austin Healey is set for the scrum-half role where he will square up to fellow Lions bad boy Matt Dawson.

Saints' French lock Olivier Brouzet is back in the squad following a shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined for almost a month and he will be joined back in the playing ranks by fly-half Paul Grayson who has recovered from a back injury.

Also on Saturday, the Sale Sharks visit the Recreation Ground to take on Bath. Amongst the Sharks visiting party will be two Bath old boys who will both be out to prove a point or two.

Prop Kevin Yates returns to Bath having spent five years there that included a six-month ban for an alleged ear biting incident. Jason Robinson also returns to the west country club where he first tasted life in the fifteen man code five years ago.

Bath will be hoping that they can transfer the form they found in the Heineken Cup back to the Zurich Premiership where they have been floundering since day one. Mike Catt is set to make his first Zurich start of the season with England youngster Ollie Barkley coming in at fly-half.

Elsewhere Gloucetser entertain Harlequins at Kingsholm. Gloucester coach Philippe Saint-Andre will be hoping to have Jake Boer, Andy Hazell and Junior Paramore at his disposal after injuries have troubled the trio. Also, former Harlequin Darren O'Leary is set for his first satrt against his former club. For Quins, second choice hooker Tani Fuga will come in for Keith Wood while he is on international duty

In Sunday's televised game London Irish travel to London Wasps. The Exiles will once again be hoping for an impressive performance from fly-half Barry Everitt, while they will have to do with out flanker Kieron Dawson who is also on international duty with Ireland. Springbok scrum-half Hentie martens is also set for his first start under player coach Brendan Venter. Wasps will be hoping to get their season back on track as they currently lie only one place off the bottom of the table.

Saracens visit Leeds on Sunday sure to be determined to keep up their impressive form that has seen them rise to third in the Premiership and score an impressive 11-try victory in the Parker Pen European Shield last time out.

Skipper Abdel Benazzi returns to the side after sitting out last weekend's european clash but centre Tim Horan is sidelined through injury.

Leeds coach Phil Davies has yet to finalise his team but he has been offered the services of the Bradford Bulls' Graham Mackay who has offered to play for Tykes less than 24 hours after playing in the Super League Grand Final.

In the final game of the weekend the Newcaslte Falcons entertain the Bristol Shoguns. Rob Andrew's side have suffered in their two outings in the Heineken Cup and must take on Dean Ryan's west country outfit without the influential trio of Pat Lam, Inga Tuigamala and Gary Armstrong. Jonny Wilkinson will skipper the home side.

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