Bristol boss Richard Hill will be hoping his side can get their season back on track against the Saints © Getty Images

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Premiership strugglers Bristol plan to kick-start their season tomorrow after suffering a testing time on the domestic and European circuits.

Bristol prop up the league table after five successive defeats, while they also lost all three of their Anglo-Welsh Cup group games and suffered a European Challenge Cup reversal at Montpellier. The only success so far was against European opponents Toulon, but a six-week Premiership break might just have recharged Bristol's batteries.

"We have spent the past few weeks trying to fine-tune our game and establish our best possible line-up before going into the next phase of matches," said Bristol head coach Richard Hill. "After the first five games, we needed that time away from the league. We've done as much as we can in my view.

"We've changed what needed to be changed and improved where we needed to improve, but the proof will be in the performance against Northampton. It is a big game for us. A win can turn things around for us enormously, but it's a big game for Northampton as well as they will be expecting to beat the team at the bottom of the table."

Bristol have fit-again England international Shaun Perry in their matchday squad for the first time this season, while Northampton again prefer Stephen Myler to Carlos Spencer in the fly-half role. Lowly Wasps will be without nine players due to international commitments this weekend when they tackle a Harlequins side boosted by fly-half Nick Evans' return from injury.

Wasps rugby director Ian McGeechan said: "We know the challenge that we face throughout the international period. But, as a club, we are delighted for our nine players who will run out for their country this weekend."

Quins include Samoan World Cup scrum-half Junior Polu, who has agreed a short-term contract with Danny Care on England duty and Steve So'oialo injured, among their replacements. New signings Wikus van Heerden and Brad Barritt are poised for Saracens debuts against Gloucester at Vicarage Road tomorrow, with the west country club welcoming back centre Anthony Allen following a 10-week injury absence.

"We have had some clarity over some injuries this week, which has been a significant help to us, and we have been relaxed and focused on getting back to the style of rugby we played last season," said Gloucester boss Dean Ryan. "Saracens are a very good, well-organised side - it is always a significant test against them - but we have just worked hard on aspects of our game to get them right and hope to take them forward into Sunday."

In tomorrow's other Premiership encounter, England lock Nick Kennedy returns to the London Irish line-up against Newcastle at Kingston Park, with the Falcons handing New Zealand recruit Tane Tu'ipolutu a first team debut.