Defending champions Saracens recall three England internationals in fly-half Owen Farrell, lock Maro Itoje and No.8 Billy Vunipola to their starting XV for their Gallagher Premiership match at Bath Rugby tonight (Friday).

Sarries are currently third in Pool 4, but only two points adrift of Racing 92 and Munster Rugby, whom they face at Thomond Park on December 7, with the return a week later at Allianz Park.

Another England international set to return to club action for the first time this season this weekend is Harlequins prop Kyle Sinckler, who is on the bench for Quins’ home game against Gloucester Rugby on Sunday.

Quins are also third in their group, Pool 3, with successive matches to come against Ulster Rugby – on December 7 at Kingspan Stadium and at Twickenham Stoop on December 13.

Gloucester, bottom in Pool 5, recall a Rugby World Cup finalist on Sunday as well in South African lock Franco Mostert, who was a replacement in the Springboks’ win over England in Japan.

Meanwhile in the Guinness PRO14, Scotland lock Jonny Gray will make his first appearance of the season, after he was named in the Glasgow Warriors starting XV for Saturday’s meeting with Leinster Rugby at Scotstoun Stadium.

Glasgow are third in Pool 2 and face consecutive games against La Rochelle after this weekend – at Stade Marcel Deflandre on December 7 and at Scotstoun a week later.

With the crucial Heineken Champions Cup back-to-back matches only a week away, several Rugby World Cup finalists make their comebacks in domestic competition this weekend.