Round-up: Complacency a fear as Bristol eye up top spot

Struggling Harlequins stand between unbeaten Bristol and a return to the top of the Guinness Premiership table at the Memorial Stadium this afternoon.

Quins have lost all six of their league and cup games since returning to top-flight English rugby this season, and the home team are understandably targeting a bonus-point success today.

Newcastle, without a Premiership away win since February, take on a strong Wasps line-up at Adams Park. Mark van Gisbergen is back after a broken jaw, but the England flanker Joe Worsley starts on the bench. Newcastle pair their England centres Jamie Noon and Mathew Tait together for the first time this term.

There is no place in Saracens' squad for rugby league recruit Andy Farrell for the Vicarage Road encounter with Bath. The visitors give Olly Barkley his first start since he suffered a testicle injury three weeks ago.

Meanwhile, champions Sale welcome back Charlie Hodgson, Jason Robinson, Andrew Sheridan and Chris Jones against London Irish at Madejski Stadium. The Irish hand summer signing Seilala Mapusua a home debut in midfield alongside Riki Flutey.

Four newcomers - Sharks fly-half Francois Steyn, Bulls flanker Hilton Lobberts, Cheetahs full-back Bevin Fortuin and Lions centre Jaco Pretorius - have been named in the South African party to tour Ireland and England next month. But several senior players are rested, including locks Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, scrum-half Fourie du Preez, full-back Percy Montgomery, prop Os du Randt, flankers Schalk Burger and Joe van Niekerk, and wing Bryan Habana.

Italy and Romania have sealed their places in Pool C of next year's Rugby World Cup. Italy beat Russia 67-7 in Moscow yesterday while Romania saw off Spain 43-20 in Madrid.