Saints continue march for double

The Saints will travel to Welford Road without the English Premiership Player of the Year, Tom Wood. The England flanker has been using an oxygen tent in an effort to heal a hairline fracture in his right fibula but the problem hasn't healed in time for Saturday.

Leicester are looking to defend their title while Northampton are aiming to go one stage further than last year and make the Twickenham final this time around.

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder is under no illusions of the task that faces his side and knows it is going to be a tough encounter in the forwards between the local rivals.

"It will be a huge battle up front on Saturday," he said.

"That is the game, success will be based on winning upfront.

"Leicester are a physical side and they love to scrum. They have some outstanding backs but we are looking for our forwards to dominate.

"If you have got a successful scrum then you look to win penalties or keep their back-row down, keep them scrummaging because that frees up space for your Ashtons and Fodens of this world. Without one you don't get the other."