Attwood: Ready to face Saracens

The former Gloucester and England man comes into the second-row to partner Ryan Caldwell, with Will Spencer slotting into the reserves.

Having got their Aviva Premiership campaign off to a winning start with victory over Newcastle last week, forwards coach Martin Haag is keen to maintain the momentum at the Rec.

"We're preparing for Saracens this week in the same way that we prepared for Newcastle last week, but we know it's going to be a sterner test. They are the present champions and have competed brilliantly with Leicester over the last two years. It's a big test for us and one we are looking forward to," said Haag.

"It's our first game in front of our home crowd. I expect the crowd to be in good voice and confident, and we'll be the same. We've got a chance to play one of the teams that turned us over at home last season and we need to make sure we do a job and come away with a win."

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has the luxury of fielding an unchanged starting XV for the trip to the Recreation Ground.

The only changes to the Sarries squad come on the replacements bench where prop Mako Vunipola slots in for the injured Petrus du Plessis (shoulder). Should either Vunipola or winger Joe Maddock get a run out off the bench, they will be make their debut for the club.