Big kick-off in Rugby Union

The final two matches of the first weekend of new Aviva Premiership take place this afternoon with Leeds Carnegie playing host to Bath and Northampton up against Leicester (odds to win their respective fixtures).

Leeds start with five new faces, including Argentine prop Miguel Alonso and ex-Bath number eight Daniel Browne.

Full-back Michael Stephenson is another former Bath debutant, while Australia international Lachan MacKay starts at centre and Semi Tadulala on the wing.

Bath have included summer signings Lewis Moody and Simon Taylor alongside new skipper Luke Watson in the back row.

Sam Vesty is named at fly-half while fellow new arrivals Tom Biggs and Mark McMillan are on the bench.

Leeds director of rugby Andy Key said: "It's a great start to the season to face a team like Bath. The guys can't wait to get started.

"The guys are happy and relaxed about it and know how we need to go about our business on Sunday.

"We know their weaknesses and clearly where their strengths are too and have a game plan to reflect that.

"So we are very exciting about starting the season, especially as we are at home first and we are hoping for a big crowd."

Bath forwards coach Martin Haag said: "They'll know what to expect of Bath but we'll be going with the sun on our backs and, if the ground is firm, we can play our way but we need to do the basics well.

"If you look at what Leeds have added, they've got a lot of star names and a couple of ex-Bath players who know the way we play.

"There's always expectation on us and people are talking about us as favourites already and we haven't even played a game yet."

Meanwhile, Northampton give a debut to new signing Tom Wood in the back row while Calum Clark, Ryan Powell and Tom Mercey start on the bench. Stephen Myler is preferred to Shane Geraghty at fly-half.

New signings George Skivington and Thomas Waldrom will start their first games for Leicester, but Tom Croft is sidelined by injury.