WAYNE Pivac faces a nervous wait over the fitness of six of his Wales players that will feature in the Gallagher Premiership tomorrow.

The Guinness PRO14 is on a break until mid-February but the English clubs, who started the league campaign late because of the World Cup, take to the field.

Players in the Wales training camp had to be released to their Premiership clubs, who are without their England internationals because of a financial agreement with the RFU.

To head coach Pivac's relief, Northampton opted not to select fly-half Dan Biggar for their home encounter with London Irish last night.

However, Gloucester duo Owen Williams and Louis Rees-Zammit start at fly-half and wing respectively in the West Country derby against Bristol at Ashton Gate.

Playmaker Williams has only recently recovered from injury, so game time could be a blessing, while teenage speedster Rees Zammit is fit after limping off in the Cherry and Whites' European Champions Cup loss in Toulouse last weekend.

There will be Wales internationals on either side at the Rec with former Dragons number eight Taulupe Faletau starting for Bath and wing Jonah Holmes starting for Leicester.

Lock Will Rowlands, who is hunting a first cap, has been named in the Wasps boilerhouse for their West Midlands derby at Worcester.

Tighthead WillGriff John is among the replacements for Sale's daunting trip to Sandy Park to face Exeter.

Loosehead Rhys Carre is suspended so cannot feature for relegated Saracens, who do not have centre Nick Tompkins in their matchday squad for the fixture against Harlequins tomorrow.