Chris Jones
BBC 5 live rugby union reporter at Eden Park, Auckland

After an hour of heavy rain, the sun has come out over the Rec, just in time for kick-off.

The early season optimism around the town after that rare victory at Leicester last weekend has been tempered a little by the news that popular head coach Tabai Matson is heading home on compassionate grounds.

But as well as Bath played at Welford Road, this is a different matter altogether. Double European champions Saracens seem to have stepped up another level when they dismantled Northampton, and a look at the Sarries bench tells a story; Mako Vunipola, Owen Farrell and Liam Williams - all Test Lions - are among their replacements.

Max Lahiff
Bath prop on BBC Radio Bristol

Injured Bath prop Max Lahiff raves about Anthony Watson's great run:

"He was running like he stole something there, he was pretty elusive and showed his dancing feet. It was a hell of a return."

No sooner has Anthony Watson showed his defensive skills we get a chance to see just how potent he is in attack.

The British and Irish Lion pounces on a loose ball and then darts around Saracens' defenders with such ease. It a big warning shot to the visitors and a moment of brilliance from the full back.

Clean ball out from Saracens' pack means that Alex Lozowski has oodles of time to decide what to do.

The fly-half sees the space and puts in a neat little chip over the top. Duncan Taylor charges on it, however Anthony Watson does superbly to pressure the centre and as a result forces the knock-on.

It's a tidy scrum from the hosts however Taulupe Faletau fumbles the ball off the back and that gives Saracens their first attacking platform.

At Twickenham Mark McCall's side were so clinical in attack, will they show the same level of accuracy this weekend?

At Welford Road Chris Cook had a storming match at scrum-half however here he's taken an early knock and is off for an head injury assessment.

Kahn Fotuali'i is onto the field and it's time for our first scrum of the afternoon just in front of Saracens' 22.

Image source, Getty Images

Wayne Barnes is the man in the middle for this opening match, it's his 186th Premiership game and the great news is that the rain has stopped!

Both teams are back in the changing rooms and there's a real buzz of anticipation around The Recreation Ground.

Bath's away victory over Leicester last weekend turned heads while Saracens' performance at Twickenham Stadium made a huge statement.

We hope you're ready to rock and roll because this is going to be an enthralling start to the afternoon.

There's little doubt that today's feast of Premiership rugby is all building up to the crescendo of a fiery East Midlands derby between Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers.

But it's got us thinking... is it the biggest rivalry in English rugby? I'm sure fans of Gloucester and Worcester and Saracens and Harlequins might have something to say about that.

Who will finish higher this season - Saints or Tigers?

All your thoughts are welcome, using #bbcrugby

Don't forget that while we're focusing on The Recreation Ground at the moment we've a huge afternoon ahead.

Can London Irish shock the champions at Sandy Park? Will Harlequins bounce back from defeat and which of Northampton or Leicester will find themselves zero from two?

• Bath v Saracens (14:00 BST)
• Exeter v London Irish (15:00 BST)
• Harlequins v Gloucester (15:00 BST)
• Northampton v Leicester (16:30 BST)

Chris Jones
BBC 5 live rugby union reporter at the Rec

Image source, BBC Sport

It's never a chore coming to Bath, and there is a big-game feel around the town today with a sell-out crowd expected.

Plenty of heavy rain ahead of kick-off though may influence tactics, and that could suit the double-European champions Saracens, who are superb at adapting to conditions.

Image source, Getty Images

Here at BBC Sport towers we know our live text is all you need.

But if you do want to a perfect accompaniment to us, you can always listen to the BBC radio commentary of the game.

Just click on the coverage tab at the top of this page where you'll find BBC Radio Bristol's coverage of this afternoon's first clash.

After beautiful sunshine last weekend we're back down to earth with a bump as the traditional British weather has descended on The Recreation Ground.

At the moment it's great weather for ducks and the question is what impact will that have on the game?

Image source, Getty Images

So who's lining up in our first match of the day?

Samoa prop Anthony Perenise makes his first Premiership start for Bath since rejoining the club this summer.

Saracens are without Sean Maitland and George Kruis due to knocks, with Chris Wyles and Michael Rhodes coming in, while Mako Vunipola and Owen Farrell are on the bench.

Bath: Watson; Rokoduguni, Joseph, Clark, Banahan; Priestland, Cook; Obano, Dunn, Perenise, Charteris, Stooke, Garvey (capt), Louw, Faletau.

Replacements: Walker, Auterac, Andrews, Phillips, Grant, Fotuali'i, Burns, Tapuai.

Saracens: Goode; Earle, Taylor, Barritt (capt), Wyles; Lozowski, Wigglesworth; Barrington, Brits, Koch; Day, Itoje; Rhodes, Burger, Wray.

Replacements: Tolofua, Vunipola, Figallo, Isiekwe, Earl, Spencer, Farrell, Williams.

Image source, Getty Images

The big news to come out of Bath this week is that head coach Tabai Matson is to leave his role with the Premiership club for family reasons.

Matson arrived at The Rec from New Zealand side Crusaders with director of rugby Todd Blackadder in July 2016, but will return to New Zealand after their game against Northampton Saints on Friday.

"Ultimately, I have made the decision that as a family, we need to be at home in New Zealand, and I appreciate the club's understanding," he said.

Image source, Rex Features

Last night Newcastle's late penalty try clinched victory over Sale Sharks last night in an error-strewn game at the AJ Bell Stadium.

The hosts dominated the first-half possession but held only a 3-0 lead and, although Sonatane Takulua levelled the scores in the second, MacGinty extended Sale's cushion to six points.

However, Falcons' pack had the last word to maintain their 100% start.

Four games... featuring the English champions, the European champions, a newly promoted side and that tasty dual at the end.

Here's your full menu of Premiership rugby this afternoon:

• Bath v Saracens (14:00 BST)
• Exeter v London Irish (15:00 BST)
• Harlequins v Gloucester (15:00 BST)
• Northampton v Leicester (16:30 BST)

Image source, Getty Images

It's a packed Saturday of 15-man action here on BBC Sport.

In the next five hours we've got the European champions, the English champions and one of the tastiest rivalries in the league.

Feel free to have your say by using #bbcrugby