World Cup winner Thompson's starting role for Leeds

England's World Cup-winning hooker is one of three changes to the side that lost agonisingly at Gloucester last week, a reverse that dropped Leeds to the foot of the embryonic Aviva Premiership table.

Thompson has been used as an impact replacement in the opening two games but Leeds will be hoping to get the full force of the experienced 32-year-old from the outset.

The decision is harsh on Andy Titterrell who has been his usual busy self in the opening two games, and who was instrumental in helping Leeds dominate the scrummage battle when they defeated Saracens in March.

The evasive Schalk Brits may be on the bench for Saracens but Leeds have nevertheless opted for more steel in the No 2 jersey by handing the high-profile summer signing from Brive his eagerly-awaited first start.

Prop Juan Gomez returns to the front row and young winger James Tincknell makes his debut as a starter as Christian Lewis-Pratt retains his place at No 10.

However, for director of rugby Andy Key, the early-season concern is not over the strengths of particular departments, more the increase in costly individual errors.

"It has been a case of mixed emotions following our opening two games of the season," Key reflected ahead of tomorrow's visit of last season's Premiership finalists.

"Certainly from a point of view of where the squad is trying to go and where it is developing we are really pleased, but unfortunately at the moment for all that endeavour we have not got the results we would like.

"Our problem at the moment is that we have leaked a couple of unnecessary tries and yet our defence was an area that was massive for us last year and I am sure it will be again.

"We are confident that we are going in the right direction and if we can move on and develop as much as we did from the first game to the second game into our third game then I think we will be looking at a good win."

Lewis-Pratt, 19, continues at fly-half as Ceiron Thomas recovers from the stinger (nerve) injury he picked up in the opening defeat to Bath, while the game comes too early for Lachlan Mackay.

Centre Luther Burrell (calf tear) and Alfie To'oala (strained abductor muscle) are added to the treatment table, opening the door for former Wharfedale winger Tincknell to start at No 13 and New Zealander Sean Hohneck to make his first appearance from the bench.

Former Rotherham winger David Strettle gets a first start for Saracens following his try-scoring debut as a replacement against Sale Sharks last weekend and Steve Borthwick returns to captain the side.

"Our intensity and workrate will have to be at its best if we are to get the result we want," said Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter.

Sale fashioned a superb late fightback as tries from Mark Cueto and Kyle Tonetti left Harlequins still searching for their first Aviva Premiership victory of the season.

Northampton are now the only unbeaten team in the Premiership after an emphatic 31-10 bonus-point win over previously undefeated Bath at Franklin's Gardens. England wing Chris Ashton and a further score from Joe Ansbro sealed the win.