KRUIS IN HUNT FOR LIONS
South Africa’s Pietersen says England boss Jones has got angrier as he’s got older
LEICESTER’S World Cupwinning wing JP Pietersen reckons age has not mellowed Eddie Jones – far from it.
ENGLAND lock George Kruis is back for Saracens against Northampton as he makes a late bid for a Lions spot.
The second row has not played since December because of knee, ankle and cheek injuries, but was name-checked by Lions boss Warren Gatland recently.
Champions Saracens rest Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell ahead of next week’s European semi-final against Munster, so Alex Lozowski starts at 10 and England Under-20 lock Nick Isiekwe comes in.
Northampton take this game to Milton Keynes and are expecting a crowd of over 20,000 as they try to keep their outside chances of a top-four spot alive.
Luther Burrell is back at centre and Ken Pisi replaces George North on the wing. Lions contenders Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes start for Saints.
Doomed Bristol face table-toppers Wasps and the hosts make one change to the side edged out by Exeter 38-34 last Saturday.
Nick Fenton-Wells comes into the back row for the injured Jack Lam, while Gavin Henson continues in the centre.
Wasps have James Haskell back on the flank and Nathan Hughes at No.8 after being promoted from the bench. Lakeside 48 Eastbourne 42 (3pm unless stated) Aviva Premiership Gloucester v Sale, Leicester v Newcastle, Worcester v Bath Guinness Pro12 Benetton Treviso v Edinburgh (7.05), Cardiff Blues v Ospreys (2.45), Connacht v Leinster (7.35), Munster v Ulster, Newport Gwent Dragons v Scarlets (5.15) Greene King IPA Championship Cornish Pirates v Bedford, Doncaster v London Irish, Jersey v Richmond, London Scottish v Nottingham, Yorkshire Carnegie v Ealing Trailfinders
World Championship Crucible Theatre, Sheffield (to May 1)
Aviva Premiership Bristol v Wasps (3) Northampton v Saracens (3pm)
Amstel Gold Race,
Netherlands