Connon starts for Newcastle against Bristol

Brett Connon has played in 21 matches for Newcastle this season [Getty Images]

There were 54 tries scored across the last round of Prem matches, with Saracens and Leicester both hitting double figures and scoring 147 points combined.

Saracens' demolition of Sale and Bristol's win against Gloucester mean both remain mathematically in the race for a top four spot, although 13 points do separate sixth from third with five rounds to play.

There is another week-long break to follow this weekend's games, with Bath and Exeter heading into crucial European Cup semi-finals as the only Prem teams still challenging on two fronts.

You can listen to coverage of all of the matches on BBC DAB and FM local radio, via BBC Sounds or the BBC Sport website and app.

Newcastle v Bristol (Friday, 19:45 BST)

Newcastle are searching for a second win this season and have made six changes for the visit of Bristol.

Brett Connon starts at fly-half, props Murray McCallum and Adam Brocklebank come in and there's a new look second-row pairing with Finn Baker making his first league start alongside Freddie Clarke.

The Bears have named three changes of their own for the trip north, with Noah Heward, Matias Moroni and Harry Randall all switching from the bench to the starting XV as they look to back up the win over Gloucester.

Wing Louis Rees-Zammit and flanker Santiago Grondona remain unavailable because of injury and are expected to return in time for the visit of Saracens on 2 May.

Newcastle: Hodge; Wade, Hearle, Beeckmans, Obatoyinbo; Connon, Elliott; Brocklebank, Fletcher, McCallum; Hodgson, Baker, Clarke, Christie (c), Parsons.

Replacements: Adejimi, Rewcastle, Palframan, Hawkins, Mafi, Stuart, Healy, Bolam.