Wasps need power surge to tame Tigers

Gatland said: "We would like to finish first in the league which would mean a slight rest for us before the Heineken Cup Final.

"I think it's fantastic that the season comes down to the final weekend with so much to play for. It's a race for the top spot and a place at Twickenham and for us there is no holding back until the season ends."

Wasps have Tim Payne at prop for former All Black Dowd, while Martin Purdy continues at lock in place of England second-row Shaw, whose ribs are still injured.

Dowd will be out for more than four months after undergoing Achilles tendon surgery.

While Wasps are aiming for a prestigious double, Harlequins have their eyes on a more modest target of a wildcard play-off semi-final.

If they can pull off a win at Northampton then a home tie is on the cards, with the winner of the wildcard battle earning automatic entry into next season's Heineken Cup.

Quins could have Jason Leonard back in the front row after the England legend took part in his first scrummaging session since having an injection in his injured foot. Leonard will quit rugby at the end of the season but wants to go out as a winner.

England Sevens wing Ugo Moyne could be back from injury but George Harder is still out.

Prop Mike Worsley will need a fitness test after breaking his nose in the win over Bath, but Tony Diprose, Mel Deane and Jon Dawson are expected to be fit for selection.

London Irish still have an outside chance of making the wildcard playoffs if they defeat inconsistent Saracens at Reading.

If the Exiles attract a crowd of at least 10,607 they will finish third in the Premiership attendance table behind Tigers and Northampton, which would be a significant achievement and highlights the potential in the area for a successful side.

The Irish have attracted two 20,000 crowds this season and could finish the campaign with a healthy average of 10,700. Conor O'Shea, the club's chief executive, said: "We have signed internationals Mike Catt and Robbie Russell to signal our intention to create that vital consistent winning formula because we know the crowds are there."

Irish make four changes from the side that defeated Newcastle last Sunday. Rob Hoadley is at insidecentre, Mark Mapletoft takes over at outside-half, and Neal Hatley and Naka Drotske come in at loose-head prop and hooker. It could be No8 Chris Sheasby's final Premiership match after an outstanding career.

Saracens centre Robbie Kydd is the major surprise among the 12 uncapped players named in Scotland's squad to tour New Zealand, Australia and Samoa this summer.

The 22-year-old Auckland-born player qualifies through his father, who is from Montrose.