Bath will be looking to further their chances of survival in the Zurich Premiership this weekend when they entertain the Northampton.

Saints will arrive at the Recreation Ground with an international contingent running into double figures.

And while the likes of Matt Dawson, Ben Cohen, John Leslie, Steve Thompson and Budge Pountney pose obvious threats, Northampton coach Wayne Smith is also expecting big things from Berkshire-born James Brooks.

After Premiership and Heineken Cup appearances as scrum-half and fly-half, Brooks - a former London Broncos academy player - will be on the right wing this weekend as replacement for injured Scottish international Craig Moir when Northampton target an eighth league win and top-five status.

"James is a talented player - he is electric," said Smith.

"With the ground firming up now, he will be a handful for any defence. He is the Austin Healey of Northampton, and I think that James can rise to any challenge - he has a great attitude."

While Northampton have moved clear of the relegation danger zone, Bath find themselves in a right old mess.

Successive league defeats against Saracens, Leicester and Sale mean the six-times champions are now just one point above bottom club Harlequins.

After Saints tomorrow, Bath have home appointments with Leeds and Wasps, but three remaining away fixtures will take them to London Irish, Newcastle and Gloucester, tough venues where they can expect few favours.

Bath's Australian coach Michael Foley supervised his players on a three-day training camp in the secluded, rural outskirts of Bristol this week.

And so intense was the squad's concentration, that even the use of mobile phones was temporarily banned during their stay at a luxurious country club.

"Our last match against Saracens (Bath lost 33-11) was a great disappointment to all of us," said Foley.

"We've sought to put a bit of fighting spirit back in the side.

"The reality is that we are in a fight to stave off relegation, and the players have got a very clear understanding about that."

Bath's England centre Mike Tindall, who suffered a rib injury during the Six Nations victory over Wales last weekend, is expected to be fit, partnering Alex Crockett in midfield, with Olly Barkley at fly-half.

Gloucester look like being without their England and Lions prop Phil Vickery for tomorrow's Kingsholm clash against Saracens.

Vickery missed the Wales game because of an ankle problem, and did not train yesterday, so Andy Deacon is poised to continue as his deputy.

If second-placed Gloucester lose and do not pick up a bonus point - improbable scenarios, given Saracens' miserable league form - and Sale suffer a similar fate at Newcastle on Sunday, then Leicester can clinch their fourth successive Premiership title this weekend.

But Tigers, boosted by the return of captain Martin Johnson after suspension, would still need to collect a five-point haul from Wasps on Sunday, while hoping those other results work in their favour.

The likelihood is that Leicester's celebratory champagne will remain on ice until either April 13 or 19, when their respective Welford Road visitors are Newcastle and Leeds.

Sale have the incentive of knowing that a win at Kingston Park would effectively guarantee Heineken Cup qualification next season.

England men Jason Robinson and Charlie Hodgson are both in a 23-man squad after injuries ruled them out against Wales, but coach Jim Mallinder is cautious about the trip north.

"We have never won at Kingston Park, and you could say that we were humiliated up there in both league and cup last season," he recalled.

"This will be a very difficult game. Jonny Wilkinson is in outstanding form, while Newcastle also have a very good lineout, which is an area where we were destroyed last season."

Basement boys Quins recall England wing Dan Luger for an Easter Sunday away day at Bristol, where the home side could welcome back Argentine scrum-half Agustin Pichot after several weeks spent recovering from foot surgery.

And London Irish are at full strength for their fixture at lowly Leeds, also on Sunday, with centre Geoff Appleford back from Hong Kong Sevens duty as part of a victorious England squad. He replaces Rob Hoadley in midfield.