Leicester v Northampton: Teams

Leicester welcome back England internationals Harry Ellis and Dan Hipkiss for Wednesday's clash with local rivals Northampton.

The pair missed the trip to Worcester and Friday's defeat at home to Wasps but have been named in Heyneke Meyer's starting XV.

Matt Smith will accomodate the return of Hipkiss in the centre by moving to the wing with Tom Varndell dropping to the bench, while Ellis takes over from Julien Dupuy at scrum-half.

Loosehead prop Boris Stankovich makes his first senior appearance of the season alongside Benjamin Kayser and the recalled Julian White in the front row, while Ben Herring returns at openside flanker after starting among the replacements last Friday.

Northampton coach Jim Mallender also makes a number of changes to the side that played Saracens at the weekend as he prepares for his first East Midlands derby.

Chris Mayor comes in at centre while captain Bruce Reihana switches to the wing to make way for the return of Stephen Myler at fullback.

Ben Foden makes his first start at scrum-half with Lee Dickson dropping to the bench, whilst England Saxon Nils Mordt is introduced among the replacements and could get his first taste of Premership action.

"It is another big game for us," said Mallinder. "Welford Road is always a challenging place to go. Leicester will be fuming from losing at the weekend and will be going all out for the win.

"They have made an excellent start to the season, regardless of Friday's result, and have quality players throughout their team, not to mention a world class coach in Heyneke Meyer."

Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Johne Murphy, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Matt Smith, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Harry Ellis, 1 Boris Stankovich, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 3 Julian White, 4 Martin Corry (c), 5 Marco Wentzel, 6 Tom Croft, 7 Ben Herring, 8 Jordan Crane.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Ben Kay, 19 Ben Woods, 20 Julien Dupuy, 21 Tom Youngs, 22 Tom Varndell

Northampton: 15 Stephen Myler, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Joe Ansbro, 12 Chris Mayor, 11 Bruce Reihana (capt), 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 Ben Foden, 1 Tom Smith, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 Euan Murray, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 5 Christian Day, 6 Mark Hopley, 7 Scott Gray, 8 Roger Wilson.
Replacements: 16 Paul Shields, 17 Soane Tonga'uiha, 18 Alex Rae, 19 Ben Lewitt, 20 Lee Dickson, 21 Nils Mordt, 22 Sean Lamont