It's here. THE derby. Rugby's greatest rivalry takes centre stage in the Gallagher Premiership's Derby Weekend and Northampton Saints arrive to Mattioli Woods Welford Road, as the defending Champions, for their first matchup with Michael Cheika's Leicester Tigers. 

One point separates the two teams heading into the round four clash. Both have one blemish on their record, both against Bath. 

It's simmering and both teams will want to lay a strong marker down for the rest of the season against their most fiercest rivals. 

It's the East Midlands Derby. A game like no other.

See WHAT'S ON in THE GAME PLAN...

KEY TIMINGS

2.00pm - Final Whistle Bar OPEN
2.30pm - The Plaza (Food, Drink, Giveaways, Activities) OPEN
2.45pm - LIVE MUSIC: DJ in The Plaza Marquee / Junior Tigers Club OPEN
3.00pm - Watch Gloucester v Bath Rugby LIVE on Final Whistle BIG SCREENS
4.10pm - The Plaza Prowl
5.30pm - Kick Off: Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints
7.20pm - LIVE MUSIC: DJ in The Plaza Marquee / Rock Bottom in the Final Whistle bar

It's a similar story for both teams as far as selection news is concerned. 

Tigers are without George Martin. Saints without Fraser Dingwall. 

Leicester lost the considerable punch of Jasper Wiese over the summer. It's the first time Saints arrive to Mattioli Woods Welford Road without a group of their departing heroes, Courtney Lawes for example. 

Joseph Woodward earns his first league start at home. Watch out for the pacey and powerful Saints flanker, Josh Kemeny. 

-Most experienced: Dan Cole, 325 appearances

-Youngest: Joseph Woodward, 21

-Leicester Tigers finished off the 2023/24 campaign with a 40-22 victory over Exeter at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on 18 May.

-Leicester have won four of their last six clashes against the Chiefs.

-Overall, the two sides have met on 70 previous occasions with Leicester winning 42 to 24 by Exeter and four games drawn.

-Hanro Liebenberg has scored more tries (two) and crossed the gain-line more times (13) than any other Tigers player this season.

-The Tigers’ opponents have scored a try during just 18% of their 22-entries – the lowest rate in the league.

-Leicester Tigers’ last five games in Gallagher Premiership Rugby have all been won by the home side on the day. The Tigers only win at Mattioli Woods Welford Road since January was 40-22 against Exeter in Round 18 last year.

-The Tigers have won five of their last seven meetings with the Saints, but Northampton’s two victories have both been since January 2023.

-Overall, the two clubs have met on 253 previous occasions with Leicester winning 142 and Northampton 92 with 19 games drawn. 127 of those encounters have been at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, where the Tigers record is won 88, drawn 13, lost 26.

Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe

Assistant Referees: Jack Makepeace, Greg Macdonald

TMO: Andrew Jackson