Round-up: Usurpers have chance to unsettle champions

Unbeaten Gloucester and Saracens could overtake Leeds at the top of the Zurich Premiership today. Both sides face challenging assignments, away to Newcastle and London Irish respectively, but Leicester's latest setback at Sale on Friday night is further evidence that the champions' fifth successive title might be far from a foregone conclusion.

Newcastle have left out their Tongan flanker Epi Taione, the target of alleged racial abuse at Gloucester last season. Taione's absence means a Falcons debut for another Pacific islander, Soa Otuvaka.

Saracens' coach, Wayne Shelford, has relegated several first-choice players, including Thomas Castaignède and Andy Goode, to the bench for the visit to the Madejski Stadium. "I don't want players burnt out by Christmas," Shelford said. The Exiles, already beaten by Bath and Leeds, still have their player-coach Brendan Venter sidelined by a hamstring problem.

Garath Archer, the former England lock, leads Bristol at home to Northampton in the absence of Ross Beattie, who is being rested. Northampton have their prop Robbie Morris serving a one-match ban for collecting three yellow cards.

Neath moved up to second place behind Munster in Pool A of the Celtic League with a 29-13 eclipse of Llanelli at the Gnoll. Tries by Steve Martin and Hywel Jenkins were garnished by 19 points from the boot of Lee Jarvis, while Iestyn Thomas crossed for the Scarlets, whose captain, Scott Quinnell, was yellow-carded.

A hat-trick of tries by Rhys Shorney sealed a remarkable comeback by 14-man Ebbw Vale, who had Tyron Morris sent off for illegal use of the boot after eight minutes of yesterday's home match against Caerphilly. Vale won 45-25, with their stand-off, Mark Meenan, supplying 20 points.

Swansea notched up their first success in the competition as they dispatched Ulster 38-10 at St Helen's. Scott Gibbs, Matthew Robinson, Kevin Morgan and Shaun Payne all touched down to secure a bonus point, while Arwel Thomas kicked 18 points.