Wasps really putting in a shift in defence at the moment.

They are right up against it here as Northampton go close to breakthrough again, but Ken Pisi can't quite hold on to the neat pass inside.

Still only 5-0 though to the hosts.

Harlequins are enjoying all of the early possession at The Twickenham Stoop. We've seen one glimpse of Alex Goode's dancing feet but right now Saracens are under pressure as we're approaching the end of the opening quarter. 

He might have had a smile on his face before kick-off, but Wasps director of rugby Dai Young has a different complexion now.

Northampton almost in for a second try in the right corner through Ken Pisi, but Wasps are back just in time to hold him up over the line.

Image source, Getty Images

A quick look around the other grounds and there is plenty to report.

Ross Moriarty responds with a Gloucester try to square things up a 7-7 at Kingsholm after Newcastle's Dom Waldouck went in for the game's opening try.

At Sixways, Sale Sharks lead Worcester 10-7 after 14 minutes with AJ MacGinty kicking a penalty after converting Will Addison's try.

More encouraging stuff this from Saints as they look to build on their early try.

Wasps infringe on their own five-metre line after Courtney Lawes' break.

Out it goes to touch for an attacking line-out.

Superb clearance kick for Saints from Ben Foden.

From his own 10-metre line, he finds touch on the Wasps five-metre line. Huge cheers around the ground as he turns it round for the hosts.

Saracens' back rower Billy Vunipola is pinged at the breakdown and the home side's fly-half, Tim Sweil, coolly slots the early three points.

Great start then for Saints, backed by their partisan home support. They're also standing firm in defence as Wasps try to build some phases.

Might put a smile on Jim Mallinder's face if this continues.

Image source, Getty Images

It's a very early stoppage at The Twickenham Stoop as after just 15 seconds Joe Marler is led from the field for an HIA assessment. Mark Lambert replaces him and we'll see if the England International can return shortly. 

And referee Luke Pearce gets us under way at Franklin's Gardens....

In the late September sunshine referee Craig Maxwell-Keys blows his whistle and starts the action at The Twickenham Stoop. 

It's also all systems go at Kingsholm and Sixways... let the afternoon of Premiership rugby commence!

I mentioned cricket in my introduction and a face in the crowd at Franklin's Gardens is England captain Alastair Cook.

What will Northampton and Wasps cook up for The Chef?

They're on their way out...

Image source, Getty Images

This fixture last season was the last time that Maro Itoje tasted defeat.  

That day he came off the bench for Saracens but famously hasn’t lost a competitive match of rugby since! 

Will that continue today?

So, our main feature game this afternoon is going to come from Northampton where the Saints, with just one win from three so far this season, will look to try and derail the Wasps express train.

We'll of course keep you up to date on major events throughout the afternoon in the other three fixtures.

We have a few minutes until we kick-off around the country, so this is a chance to catch up on what you may have missed in a busy week of Premiership news.

• The obvious place to start is with the judiciary, which saw Saracens winger Chris Ashton handed a 13-week ban for biting. The latest from Sarries is that they will not appeal against the suspension.
• It has been a week to forget for Sarries as Olympic gold-medal winning Fiji sevens player Savenaca Rawaca has said he will not be joining the club as initially intended.

• Elsewhere, Newcastle Falcons have re-signed prop David Wilson from Bath on undisclosed terms, seven years after the England international left Kingston Park.
• Northampton Saints have signed Tonga international centre Nafi Tuitavake from French second-tier side Narbonne.  
• Away from English shores, former Bath boss Mike Ford is set to be named first-team coach of three-time European champions Toulon.

We've got everyone of this afternoon's games covered via BBC local radio.

BBC 5 live sports extra and BBC Radio London have full coverage of the derby at The Stoop between Harlequins and Saracens.  

BBC Radio Gloucestershire and BBC Newcastle are in place at Kingsholm for the meeting of the Cherry and Whites and the Falcons.

BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire and BBC Radio Northampton will bring you commentary from Franklin's Gardens between Northampton and Wasps while finally, BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester are at Sixways for Worcester v Sale.

To Sixways and...

Hosts Worcester are still hunting a first league win under new boss Carl Hogg and hand captain Phil Dowson his 250th Premiership appearance.

Nick Schonert, Ryan Lamb, Cooper Vuna and Alafoti Faosiliva all return to the side from the one which lost at Bath last weekend.

Sale scrum-half Peter Stringer makes his first start of the season, as fly-half AJ MacGinty returns from a hamstring injury. Prop Kieron Longbottom starts for the first time since moving from Saracens.

In a late change on the bench, Dan Mugford is replaced by Tom Morton.

Image source, BBC Sport

Worcester: Shillcock; Humphreys, Olivier, Willison, Vuna; Lamb, Arr; Rapava Ruskin, Annett, Schonert, O'Callaghan, Barry, Faosiliva, Kirwan, Dowson (capt).

Replacements: Bregvadze, Leleimalefaga, Johnston, Scotland-Williamson, Cavubati, Baldwin, Stelling, Adams.

Sale: McGuigan; Edwards, Addison, Leota, Odogwu; MacGinty, Stringer; Lewis-Roberts, Briggs, Longbottom, Evans, Neild, Seymour, Beaumont (capt).

Replacements: Harrison, Aulika, Ostrikov, Pearce, Lund, Phillips, Morton, Scott.