We've got live online commentary of all four of this afternoon's games for you by clicking on the 'live coverage' tab.

Unfortunately, the Harlequins v Newcastle and Saracens v London Welsh games are only available on desktop, but the two derbies are available on desktop, mobile and tablet.

Andrew Priestley:, external The fierce local derbies in and around the festive period are what makes English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish rugby truly great. #bbcrugby

Image source, Getty Images

Ah yes, Chris. That certainly was an encounter to remember as Tom Wood's dramatic late try put Northampton into the Premiership final as 14-man Saints fought back to beat Leicester 21-20.

Manu Tuilagi crossed first for Tigers and, even though Niki Goneva was sin-binned, Ben Youngs added a second before the break as Leicester led 17-6.

Salesi Ma'afu's red card for punching Tom Youngs meant Saints had to play the final 25 minutes with 14 men.

But George North got them back in it before Wood touched down in the corner to send Saints to Twickenham.

Chris Osborne
BBC Sport at Franklin's Gardens

"The last time Saints and Tigers stepped out at Franklin's Gardens, it was nothing short of one of the best Premiership matches ever.

"Northampton's late, late win in that semi-final in May was a stepping stone to their status as the side to beat in English rugby - and nobody has done that more often over the past decade than Leicester.

"There is a sense of anticipation at the Gardens that fireworks and drama are a given, rather than a possibility."

Saracens: Ransom; Ashton, Bosch, Taylor, Wyles; Farrell, de Kock; Vunipola, Sharman, Johnston, Kruis, Hamilton, Wray, Brown, Joubert (capt).

Replacements: George, Barrington, du Plessis, Botha, Vunipola, Wigglesworth, Hodgson, Tompkins.

London Welsh: Robinson; Stegmann, Reynolds, Barkley, Kear; Weepu, Lewis; Reeves, Britton, Vea, Browne, Down, McCaffrey, Kirwan (capt), Fonua.

Replacements: Morris, Trevett, Cooper, Schofield, Pienaar, Rowley, May, Scott.

Harlequins: Brown; Yarde, Hopper, Lowe, Tikoirotuma; Swiel, Dickson; Lambert, Gray, Sinckler, Matthews, Robson (capt), Trayfoot, Clifford, J Chisholm.

Replacements: Ward, Marfo, Collier, Twomey, Merrick, Care, R Chisholm, Monye.

Newcastle: Hammersley; Sinoti, Powell, Socino, Alesana Tuilagi; Catterick, Blair; Vickers, McGuigan, S Wilson, Green, Barrow, M Wilson, Welch (capt), Hogg.

Replacements: Lawson, Fry, Irving, Thompson, Furno, Tipuna, Anitelea Tuilagi, Cato.

Image source, Getty Images

Before we worry about today's action, let's take a quick look back at last night's because there's quite a battle hotting up for the four Premiership play-off places after Danny Cipriani inspired Sale to an 18-11 win over Exeter.

Fly-half Cipriani, watched by England head coach Stuart Lancaster, scored a try and kicked a conversion and two penalties as the Chiefs' eight-match winning run came to an end.

The victory lifted Sale to fourth in the table, while defeat meant third-placed Exeter missed the chance to go top.

Only nine points separate Sale and ninth-placed Harlequins going into the rest of this weekend's round of fixtures, with the Sharks having played a game more than their rivals.

Chris Osborne
BBC Sport at Franklin's Gardens

Image source, Chris Osborne

"Leicester Tigers pile into Franklin's Gardens, looking relaxed. Possibly trying not to dwell on their last visit to these parts which, unusually, was an unhappy trip."

It promises to be an afternoon of red-hot action on the pitch, with big hits and passion aplenty.

But we want to know what you make of it.

Whether you're doing a bit of last-minute Christmas shopping or relaxing in front of the fire at home, get in touch on Twitter using #bbcrugby

But they aren't the only two Premiership games this afternoon.

Ninth meets 10th at The Stoop as inconsistent Harlequins face former director of rugby Dean Richards' Newcastle Falcons side.

And at Allianz Park, bottom club London Welsh face an almighty task if they are to register their first win of the season against Saracens.

We'll keep you up-to-date with both 15:00 GMT kick-offs.

Those are the words of former Bath and England centre Jeremy Guscott from his experiences of playing against West Country rivals Gloucester.

The Shed will no doubt be in full voice later when the two sides meet for the first time this season at Kingsholm (17:30 GMT) in what promises to be a Christmas cracker.

But we have quite an aperitif for you on this winter's afternoon as reigning champions and current Premiership leaders Northampton meet East Midlands rivals Leicester in a fixture where there is never any love lost.

Kick-off at Franklin's Gardens is at 15:15 GMT.

Image source, Getty Images

"I have always relished local derbies and to me they were like internationals. The atmosphere was buzzing and you could not help but be high from it. I fed off the rivalry.

"When you are the away side in a local derby, you know you are in the enemy camp - because, in the sporting sense, you are the enemy. There is respect, of course, but if you are not used to it, it can be fairly uncomfortable."