Northampton Saints have won their last two games – home and away against Bristol in the European Challenge Cup – but are winless in the Guinness Premiership since their 24-20 victory at home to Wasps on 20 September.

Harlequins’ only loss in their last six matches in all competitions was 14-27 at Leicester in the Guinness Premiership on 22 November. This is also the Londoners only loss away from home since early October.

Harlequins achieved the double over Northampton the last time the two clubs met in the Guinness Premiership in season 2006/07.

Saints Director of rugby Jim Mallinder believes his side will have to be at their very best on Saturday.

“Harlequins are one of the form sides in Europe at the moment,” he said. “Dean Richards has put together a squad full of talented players who have become a cohesive team. They like to play with the ball in hand but the games against Stade Francais showed how much they can impose control on a match too.

“However we are confident going into tomorrow’s match. Everyone who played in the Challenge Cup games against Bristol put in good performances and there has been plenty of competition for the 22 places in the squad for Saturday.

“We have a home record we are proud of and will be working hard for a good result against Harlequins.”

Carlos Spencer could make his hundredth appearance for the club during the match having been named on the bench.

For Quins, Andy Gomarsall puts on the number nine shirt, giving Danny Care a well earned rest, and Gareth Williams comes onto the bench.

Tom Williams is also rested, giving winger Seb Stegmann his second start in the Guinness premiership.

Northampton
15 Bruce Reihana (capt); 14 Paul Diggin; 13 Jon Clarke; 12 James Downey; 11 Sean Lamont; 10 Stephen Myler; 9 Lee Dickson; 1 Soane Tonga’uiha; 2 Dylan Hartley; 3 Euan Murray; 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe; 5 Christian Day; 6 Mark Easter; 7 Scott Gray; 8 Roger Wilson
Replacements: 16 Paul Shields; 17 Tom Smith; 18 Alex Rae; 19 Mark Hopley; 20 Ben Foden; 21 Carlos Spencer; 22 Chris Mayor

Harlequins
1 CERI JONES; 2 TANI FUGA; 3 MIKE ROSS; 4 JAMES PERCIVAL; 5 JIM EVANS; 6 CHRIS ROBSHAW; 7 WILL SKINNER(CAPTAIN); 8 NICK EASTER; 9 ANDY GOMARSALL; 10 NICK EVANS; 11 UGO MONYE; 12 JORDAN TURNER- HALL; 13 GONZALO TIESI; 14 SEB STEGMANN; 15 MIKE BROWN
Replacements: 16 CHRIS BROOKER; 17 MARK LAMBERT; 18 GEORGE ROBSON; 19 TOM GUEST; 20 GARETH WILLIAMS; 21 CHRIS MALONE; 22 DE WET BARRY