Image source, Getty Images

Of course one of the big talking points of the week was Newcastle Falcons' flanker Gary Graham being included in Eddie Jones' England training squad for their New Year's training camp in Brighton.

If you missed the squad then take a look HERE. Eddie Jones will name his final squad for the Six Nations on Thursday 18 January.

Newcastle have won their last four in all competitions and have only lost twice on the road in the Premiership since April.

Lock Sean Robinson and winger Alex Tait both come into the starting XV for the injured Will Witty and Sinoti Sinoti.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Rex Features

Last Friday night's loss at Sixways was a tough encounter for the Exiles and their director of rugby Nick Kennedy candidly spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire ahead of today's game:

"We've got a lot to put right. We were very, very poor against Worcester last Friday night.

"That was one of our worst performances and we've been analysing and working hard in training on putting things right.

"Newcastle are a very good side and we learnt that when we went up there earlier in the season, especially in the first half with their threats out wide.

"It is only the halfway point of the season. The good news is we've got time to put things right and we're doing everything we can to put things right."

The Exiles' director of rugby Nick Kennedy has made three changes to his starting XV; Max Northcote-Green comes in at openside flanker, Scott Steele starts at scrum-half and Johnny Williams arrives into centres.

Image source, BBC Sport

Adam Williams
BBC Sport at Madejski Stadium

It’s certainly been a year of contrasting fortunes for London Irish.

After securing an immediate return to the Premiership in May, Nick Kennedy’s men flew into the first weekend of the new top flight season with a memorable bonus-point win over Harlequins at Twickenham.

But, since that sunny September afternoon, the Exiles have tasted nothing else but defeat in the league, 10 of them on the trot to be precise.

The mood is still upbeat among the players, but everyone connected with the club knows wins must come at any cost now if they’re to pull off a miracle escape in 2018.

A flash back to preparations at Kingsholm a little earlier on... the Cherry and Whites are yet to lose a game at home this season.

Sale make one change from the squad which beat Bath so comprehensively last weekend; Marland Yarde replaces Josh Charnley on the bench.

Steve Diamond's eighth-placed Sharks are just five points behind their fourth-placed opponents but haven't won at Kingsholm Stadium since September 2013.

Image source, BBC Sport

Let's start our look around today's team line-ups at Kingsholm.

Gloucester's five-match winning run in Premiership rugby ended last weekend but they're boosted by the return of Ben Morgan.

The back row forward will be making his first appearance since the end of October due to a calf injury and is one of half a dozen changes to their starting line-up.

Forwards Josh Hohneck and Jeremy Thrush also start, along with Andy Symons and David Halaifonua, while scrum-half Ben Vellacott replaces Willi Heinz.

Image source, BBC Sport

Before we look too far ahead today, let's quickly throw back to the nine-try thriller at The Rec last night.

As well as enjoying hearty Christmas dinners and opening your presents, you selected more than 100,000 teams of the year over the festive period!

We've combined them into one definitive 2017 XV, so before the afternoon's action starts take a look! What do you think?

From the West Country to Twickeham Stadium we've got all of the action covered and here's a reminder of today's kick-off times.

• Gloucester v Sale (15:00 GMT)
• London Irish v Newcastle Falcons (15:00 GMT)
• Saracens v Worcester (15:00 GMT)
• Harlequins v Northampton Saints (16:00 GMT)

Follow live text with us here and you can also listen to BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and our local radio commentary for the matches.

Image source, Getty Images

Good afternoon!

A very warm welcome to today's Premiership rugby coverage and we hope that you're ready for a few hours of great rugby.

If you have been dragged around the sales this morning, or perhaps you're still fighting your way through them, then allow us to keep you company and bring you all of the action.