Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers LIVE: TV info, odds, teams & updates

Freddie Steward makes his first Leicester Tigers appearance since last season’s final in today’s East Midlands derby against Northampton Saints. Head coach Steve Borthwick has selected the England star at full-back for the Franklin’s Gardens encounter, having missed the opening two rounds of the Gallagher Premiership season. He is joined in the matchday squad by Joe Heyes, Jack van Poortvliet, Ollie Chessum and Guy Porter, who were all capped in England’s summer tour of Australia.

There’s still no place on the teamsheet for Anthony Watson, who suffered a ‘minor’ injury against Newcastle Falcons in pre-season and Borthwick recently said was ‘progressing really well’ – but will not make his Tigers debut in the 250th time Saints and Tigers have gone head to head. Having suffered a head injury in round one, Freddie Burns missed out against Newcastle Falcons but returns at fly-half with Jimmy Gopperth moved infield to inside centre. Chessum, who played at openside flanker last week, packs down in the second row alongside Calum Green

Tommy Reffell is restored to starting line up on back row with George Martin and captain Hanro Liebenberg. Scrum-half van Poortvliet makes his first start of the season in what will be his 50th senior appearance for the club. Saints have brought four internationals Lewis Ludlam, Courtney Lawes, Dan Biggar and Tommy Freeman all back into their starting line-up.

Fraser Dingwall returns from injury to take his place in the starting line-up, prompting a reshuffle in Saints’ backline as Matt Proctor moves to the wing and Rory Hutchinson continues at inside centre.

Follow all the build-up, team news, live play-by-play match updates, reaction, stats, analysis and highlights from Franklin’s Gardens in our live blog below…