Welcome and Happy New Year to one and all.

To kick-off the year of the fire monkey (yes, I know, Chinese New Year is next month) we have a tantalising Premiership encounter at Franklin's Gardens between giants of the English game, Northampton and the rising power that is Exeter.

Image source, BBC Sport

The hosts will have one very clear resolution in mind for 2016, and that is to turn their inconsistent start to the campaign into something... well, something more Saints' like and start climb from fifth in the table where they reside at the moment.

For Exeter, the faithful from Devon will be singling loud and proud that they fancy 2016 as the year of the Chiefs. Victory today, and they go top of the table for 24 hours at least.

There may be two thirds of the campaign yet to come, but this fixture may have a lot to say for both sides.