Davis confident Bath can tweak the Tigers' tail

Weekend Preview

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Leicester v Bath

The most professional big-time club of the amateur era – and yes, that included Toulouse – spent so long establishing themselves as the most amateur act of the professional age that there were those in West Country rugby circles who wondered whether Bath had left a brilliant future behind them.

O ye of little faith. It may be 14 years since the Recreation Grounders won the last of their many domestic titles, but they are beginning to smell the roses once again. Today, they will discover the strength of the scent.

Trips to Leicester do not faze them. They lost two big matches at Welford Road last season but they should certainly have won one of them. Now, with the Australian flanker Julian Salvi playing out of his socks and Olly Barkley showing flashes of international form in midfield on his return from long-term injury, they have an inkling that the Premiership leaders might be ripe for the plucking.

David Flatman, the best loose-head prop in England, has a biceps injury, while the No 8 Luke Watson is suffering from mild concussion (quite how you can tell with a Springbok loose forward is a matter for debate, but there you go). Their absences will weaken the visitors but seven straight Premiership wins build confidence.

"When we get the formula right we are a pretty tough team to stop," said Brad Davis, their skills and defence coach. "We know Leicester are abrasive but we also know our game. We approach this match believing we are building towards something special."

Wasps v London Irish

Things are tight all round up top, to the extent that neither of these age-old London rivals can afford to finish second at Adams Park tomorrow. The home side have picked the Samoan finisher David Lemi ahead of Paul Sackey on the wing – no surprise, given Sackey's leaden performance at Northampton a week ago – while Joe Worsley, who has been at the club for 17 years and just signed up for another two, will make his 200th Premiership appearance in the back row.

The Exiles are in "as you were" mode in the wake of the 38-0 thumping of Sale last time. "We expect this match to be much harder," admitted their coach, Toby Booth, who did not have to be Carwyn James to work that one out, as Sale barely turned up. Wasps, increasingly on the ball now that spring is with us, will very definitely show, large as life.

Leeds v Northampton

Leeds are playing the most effective rugby of those at the wrong end of the table. Their performance in defeat at Gloucester last weekend was nowhere near as depressing as the displays turned in by Sale and Newcastle but this afternoon's meeting with the most potent side in the country may prove a challenge too far, even though the Midlanders have Soane Tonga'uiha on the bench, along with players as effective Shane Geraghty and Neil Best.

Gloucester v Saracens

Gloucester, playing their third game in a week, have changed seven of the pack who struggled in defeat at Newcastle on Wednesday. Saracens include two wings just back from injury, Chris Wyles and Michael Tagicakibau.

Harlequins v Newcastle

Level on points and unnervingly close to the relegation zone, both sides crave a victory that would guarantee their Premiership status.

Quins have the outstanding Puma centre Gonzalo Tiesi back in midfield, but Newcastle, now feeling the bumps and bruises, have lost both Alex Tait and Danny Williams to minor ailments.