Skivington starts in the second row alongside Callum Green with Leicester boss Richard Cockerill missing locks Richard Blaze and Louis Deacon on the injury list alongside England internationals Jordan Crane and Tom Croft.

But Skivington, who arrived at Welford Road from rivals Wasps over the summer, believes he could have a better introduction into life with the reigning champions than by taking on the Saints.

He said: “It's a massive game to start. It's the two teams that finished up there last season and it's a local derby.

"It should be a hell of a game. They have names throughout the team and they have recruited well.

"I'm still getting my head around the fact that this will be my home but I'm excited and I know the fans are very passionate here."

Over 75,000 fans will pack into Wembley to watch the London Double Header with London Irish tackling last season’s runners-up Saracens and Harlequins clashing with Wasps.

Wasps, who give Riki Flutey his second debut at fly-half and include Wales star Andy Powell at No.8, will be looking to continue their excellent record over Quins who have won just two of the teams’ last 11 meetings.

Saracens meanwhile hand debuts to Scotland flanker Kelly Brown and England scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth who will partner Alex Goode at half-back.

Irish, who struggled in the second half of the season, have elected to leave powerhouse centre Seilala Mapusua and England lock Nick Kennedy on the bench with Daniel Bowden, who arrived from Super 15 side Crusaders over the summer, starting at inside centre.

Exeter Chiefs begin their first season in the top flight of English rugby at Sandy Park, where they endured just a single defeat in the league last season, by meeting Gloucester.

Despite being odds on to return to the RFU Championship coach Rob Baxter isn’t fazed by the challenge of staying in the Premiership.

"We are challenging the players to be the people who want to make history for a rugby club, he said.

“They made history last season by getting us into the Premiership and now they are the guys who are going to write our history this first season in the Premiership.

“I think that it’s a fantastic opportunity for them."

Newcastle head into their Friday night clash with Sale without new signing Jeremy Manning replacing the Premiership’s leading points scorer from last season Jimmy Gopperth at fly-half .

And Sharks coach Mike Brewer feels the clash could set the tone for the remainder of the season.

"The players we have here want to play in the Heineken Cup and know they will have to work hard to achieve that," he said.

"A win would give everyone a huge boost and galvanise the whole club."

Finally, on Sunday, Leeds and Bath renew hostilities after meeting on the final day of last season, with Bath running in five tries in a 39-3 success and Steve Meehan’s men will be keen to start from where they left off last season as they won 11 of their last 12 league matches.