So here we are looking ahead to Round 3 of the Aviva Premiership and a weekend that also includes the small matter of the Rugby World Cup Final. After twelve matches I hope that you are all back into the swing of Aviva Premiership life and are looking forward to the weekend's fixtures. With so much discussion about matters off the field let's park that to one side and focus on what is going to happen on the turf this weekend shall we?
The opening game on Saturday afternoon is at Allianz Park where Saracens will host London Irish. Saracens are one of only two sides to remain unbeaten heading into Round 3 and will feel confident to retain that record at home. London Irish’s opening two rounds have been challenging however they are one of only three sides to have beaten Saracens at Allianz Park. Exactly like in the opening two rounds London Irish's focus remains on perfectly executing their basics and playing to their potential, chances were made at Sandy Park but dashed by errors and that cannot happen again. Mark McCall has rotated a number of his squad notably Ben Spencer will don the 9 jersey, Maro Itoje comes into the row and Ernset Joubert at Number 8 . 
126 miles away Bath Rugby will return home to The Rec and host Harlequins. Bath’s record on home turf is impressive having lost just once there in their last fifteen Aviva Premiership fixtures. That said Harlequins have looked purposeful in the opening rounds and will be filled with the confidence. Conor O'Shea has reinstated his England contingent into the starting line up including handing Chris Robshaw his first domestic action since the Rugby World Cup. Bath Rugby can't have had the easiest week with all of the Sam Burgess speculation and had a number of injury concerns earlier in the week. Mike Ford has made 5 changes in the pack and one out wide. An entirely new front row will face the experienced Harlequins front three, Max Lahiff, Rob Webber and David Wilson and in the backs Matt Banahan returns the left wing leaving Anthony Watson to flourish from full back. 
Kingsholm welcomes its second Premiership game in as many weeks as Gloucester Rugby welcome the Worcester Warriors to town. The last outing between the two was Worcester’s last match in the 2013/14 Aviva Premiership season which they won 28-27 however the Cherry and Whites are a very different prospect now. After a solid pre-season David Humprehy’s side look content and settled with life in the opening two rounds and are expected to make things vey difficult for the Warriors. The scrummage should be an area of power for Gloucester’ as their front three are much more experienced than the Warriors however the visitors should fire a few shots out wide with Tom Biggs, Chris Pennell and Cooper Vuna.
The Sunday service starts at Kingston Park where Dean Richards’ Newcastle Falcons will be going in search of their first Aviva Premiership victory of the season against the Exeter Chiefs. Dean Richards has made sweeping changes to his starting lineup in a bid to deliver their first Aviva Premiership victory of the season. Those changes include Alex Tait making his first start of the season and Michael Young donning the 9 jersey after a head turning display off the bench last weekend. The Exeter Chiefs have also tinkered with their starting line up, Jack Nowell doesn’t make the trip due to the surface and his place out wide is taken by Matt Jess making his 100th club appearance. Dave Ewers, Julian Salvi and Don Armand will combine for a new look back row and one that should enjoy a good dual with Will Welch, Nili Latu and Ally Hogg.The Falcons have beaten the Chiefs just once in their last eight encounters in all tournaments and with all due respect to the home side I expect the Chiefs to record their ninth victory on Sunday. 
At the AJ Bell Stadium the Sale Sharks welcome the Northampton Saints to town. Sale looked much more comfortable back on home turf in Round 2 however the Northampton Saints also found their groove. Interestingly Jim Mallinder’s side haven’t been victorious away from home, in any tournament, since February however they’ll fancy their chances on Sunday. The Saints’ Director of Rugby has made three changes to the lineup that beat the Falcons with Kahn Fotuali'i, Mikey Haywood and Michael Paterson replacing Lee Dickson, Dylan Hartley and Christian Day respectively. Sale must just one change handing TJ Ioane a start on the blindside. The AJ Bell Stadium is never an easy place to travel to however the Saints will be confidence and ready to spoil the party in Manchester. 
The final game of the weekend is at Welford Road and provides us with the first East Midlands’ derby of the season between the Leicester Tigers and Wasps. This game is guaranteed to have plenty of bite to it with both sides going well in Round 2. The Tigers are unbeaten at Welford Road in their last ten Aviva Premiership fixtures and Wasps haven’t won there in the competition since 2008 however Dai Young’s side look ready to rumble. Dai has mixed things up and aims to highlight the depth of his squad with Dan Robson starting at scrum half, Kearnan Myall in the row, James Downey at inside centre and Ruaridh Jackson moving to Full Back. The Tigers unleash Opeti Fonua for the first time at Number 8 and Dan Cole will start for the first time since the Rugby World Cup. In this type of pressurised derby I expect the leaders on both sides to excel and after their feisty encounter at the end of last season the hope is that discipline and cards will not play a part in deciding the outcome.
