Manu Tuilagi will make his first start for Leicester since signing a new two-year deal in Friday night's east midlands derby against Northampton.
Tuilagi lines up at outside-centre a week after rejecting a lucrative move to join Racing 92 and committing to the Tigers until 2021 - a decision he admits was weighing heavily on his mind during England's recent Guinness Six Nations campaign.
The 27-year-old is among five members of Eddie Jones' squad selected for the Gallagher Premiership showdown against Saints with Jonny May, George Ford, Ellis Genge and Dan Cole also present.
Leicester are 10th in the table and head coach Geordan Murphy admits their return to club duty is well timed.
"It's great to have those senior players back, they're all in good spirits and they're quality players," Murphy said.
"They enjoyed their time away but now they're anxious to get back and contribute. Derby day is always huge, this is always one of the biggest games of the year."
Northampton were crowned Premiership Cup champions after recording a rare win over Saracens on Sunday, but in the league they sit only three points above their fierce rivals.
Dan Biggar is picked at fly-half after helping Wales win the Grand Slam and number eight Teimana Harrison captains the team.