And we are underway at a windy Madejski Stadium, with Exeter kicking things off.

We're under way at Kingston Park where Newcastle have lost only once in their last seven matches - after a great bit of Robbie Williams brings the teams out.

Will the teams entertain us, as Stoke-on-Trent's finest alludes to? Let's find out!

Silence at the Madejski Stadium in memory of of former London Irish chairman David Fitzgerald, who has passed away, aged 55, following a battle with cancer.  

London Irish players stand linked in the middle of the pitch.

As usual this season, you also have the chance to listen to commentary of both of today's Premiership matches thanks to your BBC local radio station. 

Just go to the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page and click the commentary of your choice.

Adam Williams
BBC Sport at Madejski Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Nobody at London Irish wants to be using the expression "must-win" at the moment, but there's a sense today's meeting with Exeter is just that.

After Worcester's impressive home win against Sale yesterday and Newcastle also in action today against Northampton, it feels like Tom Coventry's side need to make a statement to avoid being cast adrift at the foot of the table.

Northampton have named an unchanged 23 from the side that beat struggling London Irish last week.

That means Luther Burrell and Harry Mallinder continue a centre partnership which has proved crucial in the side's upturn in form.

Replacements: Marshall, Waller, Denman, Matfield, Harrison, Kessell, Hanrahan, G Pisi  

Newcastle have made just one change to the side that beat Leicester, with Mouritz Botha coming in for Nili Latu.

Mark Wilson reverts from second-row to blindside flanker and captain Will Welsh switches to number seven.

Replacements: McGuigan, Rogers, Hatakeyama, Furno, Mayhew, Takulua, Willis, Socino

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter has named an unchanged starting line-up from the side which lost at Sale last week.

The only changes come on the bench where Italy's Michele Campagnaro and Wales prop Tomas Francis are included.

Image source, BBC Sport

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Hepburn, Francis, Atkins, Horstmann, Lewis, Hooley, Campagnaro  

There will be a somber tone to proceedings at the Madejski Stadium today as London Irish hold a minute's silence before their match in memory of the club's former chairman David Fitzgerald, who has passed away, aged 55, following a battle with cancer.

Image source, Getty Images

Fitzgerald, who also played for the club in the pre-professional era, was later instrumental in the negotiations which led to its takeover in 2012.

London Irish have made four changes for the visit of high-flying Exeter.

Theo Brophy Clews replaces Shane Geraghty at fly-half, while prop Tom Smallbone, lock Elliott Stooke and blindside flanker Ofisa Treviranus come into the Exiles' pack.

Image source, BBC Sport

Replacements: Ellis, Tom Court, Halavatau, Nagle, Trayfoot, Allinson, Geraghty, Lewis-Pratt  

Image source, Rex Features

Our two games today pit sides fighting for points for very different reasons against each other.

Exeter are riding high in the Premiership table, eight points behind leaders Saracens, and visit bottom club London Irish.

Meanwhile Newcastle, only four points ahead of Irish, host a rejuvenated Northampton, who are sixth in the table having won five of their last six in all competitions.

Falcons, though, have only lost once in their last seven outings at Kingston Park.

Without any Six Nations matches this weekend, all rugby union eyes are on the domestic scene - the heartbeat of the game, if you will.

After Saturday's excitement, which included leaders Saracens beating Gloucester despite playing most of the match with 14 men, we've got another couple of crackers for you.

Welcome to Sunday's Premiership live text.