BBC Sport's Chris Osborne at Franklin's Gardens: "Ever wondered what the time keeper's equipment at the rugby looks like? I've been told I can press the horn button because, disappointingly, it doesn't do anything."

Certainly, the way the two camps have been talking in the build-up would suggest they're both fully aware of Leicester's recent success in this fixture.

Earlier in the week, Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill told BBC East Midlands Today: "We raise our game. There is no getting away from that we are always motivated to win against Northampton."

Saints flanker Tom Wood admitted to BBC Radio Northampton: "I think Saints have to get better on big occasions. On the games that are billed through the roof, we've just stalled."

Saints fans, you may prefer to look away now. Leicester boast a pretty formidable recent record against Northampton, unbeaten in nine league matches between the two and having won on each of their last three visits to Franklin's Gardens.

The Tigers edged the sides' most recent meeting 22-16 in March, following a thrilling 19-19 draw at Welford Road earlier in the campaign. And, of course, Leicester beat their local rivals 37-17 in last season's Premiership final too.

BBC Sport's Chris Osborne at Franklin's Gardens: "It's a stunning evening in Northampton, with a lengthening shadow starting to stretch over the Gardens. It's warm and muggy - which could lead to shorter fuses and fiercer tempers.

"I've just been given the impartial opinion of former Saints full-back and BBC Radio Northampton summariser Ian Hunter. 'A Saints win by 10 points,' he predicts. 'Man for man, Saints are the better side.' I guess he would say that, wouldn't he?"

We would love you to have your say on this evening's action as it unfolds. You can get in touch on #bbcrugby, via the BBC Sport Facebook, external page and, UK users, by text to 81111.

Having already waved goodbye to Welford Road, Toulouse-bound fly-half Toby Flood will be hoping this isn't his final game for Leicester Tigers.

Elsewhere, England duo Ben and Tom Youngs return having missed the final-round win over Saracens, as does the competition's leading try-scorer Niki Goneva.

Leicester Tigers: Tait; Morris, Tuilagi, Bowden, Goneva; Flood, B Youngs; Ayerza, T Youngs, Mulipola; Deacon, Slater (captain); Gibson, Salvi, Crane

Replacements: Briggs, Bristow, Balmain, Kitchener, Mafi, Mele, Williams, Thompstone

There's a late change to the Northampton Saints starting XV to tell you about, with winger Ken Pisi a late withdrawal and 19-year-old Tom Collins coming straight into the side.

Otherwise, it's as we expected - injured hooker and captain Dylan Hartley misses out so Mike Haywood continues in the role, while Kahn Fotuali'i is preferred to England international Lee Dickson at scrum-half.

Northampton Saints: Foden; Collins, G Pisi, Burrell, North; Myler, Fotuali'i; A Waller, Haywood, Ma'afu; Manoa, Lawes; Wood, Dowson (capt), Dickinson.

Replacements: McMillan, Corbisiero, Mercey, Day, Clark, Dickson, Wilson, Stephenson.

Take a moment to cast your mind back to 2004, if you will. A year perhaps best remembered for Greece producing one of football's great upsets to win the Euros, Kelly Holmes bursting through to win two gold medals at the Athens Olympics and Roger Federer picking up only his second Wimbledon crown.

That may seem a lifetime ago but, remarkably, that was also the last year that Leicester were absent from the Premiership final. Nine showpiece occasions and four league titles later, Richard Cockerill's side are now one step away from returning to Twickenham for the 10th campaign in a row.

Standing in their way are East Midlands rivals Northampton Saints, who will be determined to avenge last season's final defeat as they host Tigers in this year's first play-off semi-final at Franklin's Gardens tonight.