Saracens

The Aviva Premiership returns this weekend after a month's absence, with the battle for the play-offs and relegation set to continue.

Chris Ashton will join up with fellow rugby league exiles when he joins Saracens next season.

Week 13 of the Aviva Premiership sees in-form Northampton host league leaders Harlequins, as the Saints look to close the gap to the league leaders.

Last year's champions and victors in Tuesday's Big Game Saracens, a ruthless machine set up to win at all costs, and Harlequins, the young pretenders to the crown.

Aviva Premiership: Week 11 Review

A busy Christmas schedule sees Bath travel to Franklins Gardens in search of some early festive cheer, whilst the top two square off at the Stoop with Quins heroes of the battle of Toulouse hosting champions Saracens.

Two Premiership rugby clubs have sounded out the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) about the possibility of using the Olympic Stadium following the London 2012 Games, according to reports.

Saracens Derick Hougaard is reportedly contemplating a return back to South Africa to play for the Bulls once again.

Saracens face Sale Sharks at Vicarage Road (Sunday 3pm) as the Aviva Premiership reaches round eight.

Superior in territory and utterly dominant in the scrum, they led 15-13 with under 20 minutes left and would have counted on Wasps' chronic indiscipline to see them home

Saturday 28th May 2011 was a massive day for English rugby union and for the Aviva Premiership in particular

Saracens won their first ever Premiership title after beating favourites Leicester Tigers at Twickenham with a first half try from James Short and excellent kicking from young Owen Farrell.

They are an English club by name who continually compete for top domestic honours in the gruelling slug-fest that is the Aviva Premiership

Exeter's first season in top-flight rugby has been relatively successful and they've done well to ensure they'll be playing in the Aviva Premiership next season

Saracens are currently the form team in the Premiership, taking 25 points from a possible 30 in their last six matches

Saracens reduced Leicester's lead to just 3 points at the top of the table after seeing off Newcastle Falcons at Vicarage Road

fter having a three week break to reflect on their current form, Saracens will be bidding to make it seven wins on the bounce when they host Newcastle Falcons on Sunday afternoon

A top of the table clash between Leicester Tigers and Saracens didn't fail to produce drama and excitement as Saracens managed to inflict a rare home defeat on Leicester