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Rugby Union

Wasps boss Tony Hanks believes Sunday's Twickenham clash with Harlequins is the ideal occasion for Danny Cipriani to return to the starting line-up.

Star fly-half Cipriani has been named in the starting XV for the first time since recovering from a fractured fibula, sustained in October.

Three wins in a 12-day spell - two against Bayonne in the Amlin Challenge Cup and one in the Guinness Premiership against Leicester - have instilled confidence in the Wasps camp ahead of a match which will be watched by a 70,000-plus crowd.

Hanks said: "This fixture marks the beginning of a block of three Premiership fixtures which will be important in consolidating us as a contender in the league.

"Our selection again shows the competition and strength within the squad.

"We have picked the team based on the type of game we anticipate against Quins and believe this is the right game and right time for Danny Cipriani to come back.

"What is pleasing is that, over the last few weeks, Dave Walder has really set the bar high in terms of the standards and expectations of a Wasps fly-half and we are very fortunate to have that wealth of talent at 10 which enables us to rotate and use different combinations."

As well as Cipriani, Hanks has brought in Steve Kefu at inside centre, meaning Dominic Waldouck switches to outside centre.

Hanks added: "There is always an extra edge in these local London derbies and Wasps-Harlequins games are always highly competitive and entertaining.

"There is always a special feel to the Christmas fixture - supporters bring that festive mood and upbeat sense of anticipation which really rubs off on the teams. Playing at Twickenham in front of a big crowd will only add to that and I think it is really positive for the game that club's are taking to the big stages like Twickenham and Wembley."

Worcester and Northampton kick off the festive programme this afternoon.

Tomorrow, leaders Saracens will make the trip to second-placed Irish, who are six points behind a team that have won nine and drawn one of their 10 league starts.

Bath, though, could find themselves attracting some unwanted attention if they lose at home to fierce west country rivals Gloucester.

The six-time league champions - the last of those titles came 13 years ago - have never gone eight Premiership games without a win.

But they will claim that unwanted statistic if Gloucester can make it five successive victories at Bath's expense.

Bath might even end 2009 propping up the Premiership, should Leeds Carnegie defeat Newcastle at Kingston Park, guaranteeing an intriguing clash in Yorkshire between Leeds and Bath on Saturday week.

Leeds captain Marco Wentzel said: "In the grand scheme of things, these two matches are massive for us.

"We've been close in recent matches but not close enough. We need to start winning."

Leicester and Sale also meet tomorrow when Tigers will defend an unbeaten home record in all competitions stretching back to September last year.