Joseph, 20, had been due to make his first appearance at this level but the London Irish centre makes way because of a groin injury.

“He was experiencing a little soreness when he joined us and aggravated things when he slipped in training,” said Saxons coach Jon Callard.

“He might have played through it but it’s in everyone’s best interests to err on the side of caution given that he has just returned from a long lay-off.

"JJ has got a bright future but as he’s just come back from a different injury we wouldn’t want to compound his problems.”

London Wasps centre Waldouck, 24, toured New Zealand (2008) and Australia (2010) with the senior England side. He made his debut for the Saxons in 2009 against Portugal and this will be his seventh appearance for the side.

England Saxons: 15 Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby); 14 Ugo Monye (Harlequins), 13 Dominic Waldouck (London Wasps), 12 Billy Twelvetrees (Leicester Tigers), 11 Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby); 10 Ryan Lamb (Northampton Saints), 9 Ben Spencer (Saracens); 1 Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby), 2 Chris Brooker (Harlequins), 3 Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton Saints), 4 Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers), 5 George Robson (Harlequins), 6 James Gaskell (Sale Sharks, captain), 7 Andy Saull (Saracens), 8 Tom Johnson (Exeter).

Replacements: 16 Joe Gray (Harlequins), 17 Rupert Harden (Gloucester Rugby), 18 Kearnan Myall (Sale Sharks), 19 David Seymour (Sale Sharks), 20 Paul Hodgson (London Irish), 21 Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby), 22 Miles Benjamin (Worcester Warriors).

This is because I agree with the doubts raised about the decision making and mental fortitude of some of the young England players. The academy process seems to be bringing through some good players, some tremendous athletes often with great skills (although not always with rounded skillsets) but when faced with adversity, they’re raising questions.

Leicester faced a massload of adversity on Friday. Ulster have put together a fantastic first XV through clever recruitment and good developing, it was in fine form (the previous 5 games had yielded 4 bonus point victories) and are busy burnishing Ravenhill’s reputation as one of the citadels of European rugby. It was never going to be easy and Leicester walked right into the teeth of a perfect storm as Ulster finally put together one of the performances they’ve been threatening for some time. There is absolutely no shame in being beat by that, even being beat well, but in crumbling and conceding your new record defeat – there is plenty of shame in that.

For quite a while I thought Leicester was going to make a fight of it. Up until Twelvetrees missed one in front of the sticks and Pienaar promptly put one through, I felt nervous on Ulster’s behalf. Not that Leicester were anything but the second best side until that point. They were struggling to contain Ulster’s big runners and offloading. They were losing the breakdown. Leicester soldiered on without really attempting to solve the problems. After that, they fell apart. Cole went for dissent, Youngs probably should have gone for dissent, Slater should be banned for his punch and Tom Croft suffered the absolute indignity of being dump-tackled into touch by a guy nicknamed Mincer. Nevermind the reality of Paddy Wallace being a solid tackler, that’s the sort of moment that sticks. Actually reading that back, that’s a misleading nickname; Wallace got it because he used to mince in the tackle, not because he minces people in the tackle. Just so we’re clear.

Quins too suffered some awkward moments. Nick Evans had an unusually bad night with the boot, their slick handling game couldn’t quite get the final balls to hand and their defence got stretched far too easily by Gloucester. Harlequins however, held on and eventually got what they needed. Charlie Sharples made a mistake (bad timing with the 6N coming up) and Mike Brown popped over. They could, and possibly should have already been in front with a penalty, but the decision to look for a try made sense as Gloucester’s final roll of the dice sputtered out; the 3 points was on, but it wasn’t enough.

So – where is the difference? Is there a difference? As noted, Ravenhill is not an easy place to go, particularly not with key injuries, and a wise man is cautious about drawing too much from one-offs. However, I don’t think the nerves under fire and failure to adjust are a one off; this is the latest symptom of the disease. The disease can be encapsulated in a quote from Nigel Redman in the linked article:

‘‘I’ve lost count of the number of times coaches have complained to me that players aren’t decision makers while showing me their 84-page play book.”

Leicester look like a regimented side. They look like a side that go out there with a plan and if the plan doesn’t work, they wait to hear what the new one is. Or keep going with the old one. Players aren’t looking for the ball, they’re in their zones waiting for it to happen. Leicester didn’t react to their mullering at the breakdown by ordering the likes of Croft and Mafi to follow the ball, they just stood there, in a style eerily reminiscent of England. The only man there with a sense of initiative was Youngs and his decision making was shaky at times – and, also, I suspect under instructions at time too. In fairness, it’s going to be when he’s 22, it’s understandable. Twelvetrees is also going to have poor decision making when he rarely plays at fly-half. When the other side has Pienaar, Wallace and Terblanche pulling the strings, there will be a disparity. There shouldn’t be that much though. Basically, Leicester do not look like a team who make their own decisions, and when the pressure comes they react the wrong way. This brings me to Harlequins.

Harlequins, more than any other club in the country, look like a team where the players make the decisions on the pitch, and not the coaches in the dressing room. They play with a spontaneity and speed that is, when executed right, very difficult to stop. They play with a number of decision makers – Evans, Brown, Robshaw, Easter, Care – and seem to be bent on developing more. In particular, Harlequins develop forwards who are very comfortable ball in hand, yet still have a big physical edge. It’s still a work in progress, not least because they’ve got to get used to playing big matches as favourites, but they seem to be responding well to it. If they can keep the current personnel together, then in a year or two they could really be a force to be reckoned with. I really hope so as I see in Quins a model for English teams to emulate. Decision makers playing heads up rugby at pace with an emphasis on developing within to ensure there is a stream of players who understand the club’s needs. It is the way that the superteams of Europe, Toulouse and Leinster, are doing things. I just hope that an English club proves capable of following them.

Leicester will be back, in some shape or form. There is too much quality in their ranks for them to lay low for long. They’re a good team. They’ll probably win some stuff. But they won’t be great, not until they sort the mental cracks that appear to be forming. That won’t happen without players who take responsibility for what they do, starting with their decisions on the pitch. The same goes for England. If we want to be great, then we need to cast the shackles off the players and discover who’s got the brains and balls to win, and who doesn’t.

Which is why I hope the model for English club rugby going forwards is set up by Harlequins, and not Leicester.

Last weekend saw a hard fought fixture between the two sides and Gloucester edged it by 14 points to 10.

As a result, Redpath keeps faith with the majority of the team on duty but makes two changes to the pack and three to his back line.

Into the front row comes prop Dan Murphy for his first start since the LV= Cup fixture at Leicester on October 21st. Also returning at prop is tight head Rupert Harden.

Redpath also unveils a new half back pairing in Nick Runciman and Tim Taylor with Rory Lawson and Freddie Burns moving to the bench while Mike Tindall is over his groin injury and partners Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu in the midfield.

Although Gloucester won at the Galway Sportsground in the first meeting between the two sides, when talking to the media this week, Redpath confirmed that there would be no complacency in the Gloucester camp:

“Saturday’s win wasn’t pretty in parts but it was key to get the result, and we did. Our error count and discipline was much better than of late and that made a huge difference to our performance.

“We’ve talked about what happened last year in the corresponding fixture when we won in La Rochelle and were then defeated at home against the same side who some people said wouldn’t travel very well.

“We know that Connacht will not be coming here just to lie down. Conditions are not looking great which is a great leveller and we’re going to have to be mentally strong.”

Gloucester Rugby:

Olly Morgan; Charlie Sharples, Mike Tindall, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, James Simpson-Daniel; Tim Taylor, Nick Runciman; Dan Murphy, Scott Lawson, Rupert Harden; Peter Buxton, Jim Hamilton; Brett Deacon, Andy Hazell, Luke Narraway (capt)

Replacements:

Matias Cortese, Nick Wood, Shaun Knight, Will James, Akapusi Qera, Rory Lawson, Freddie Burns, Jonny May

Sale Sharks:

15. Rob Miller

14. Tom Brady

13. Andrew Higgins

12. Johnny Leota

11. Luther Burrell

10, Nick Macleod

9.  Cillian Willis

1. Alasdair Dickinson

2. Tommy Taylor

3. Henry Thomas

4. Fraser McKenzie

5. Andrei Ostrikov

6. James Gaskell

7. David Seymour (capt.)

8. Richie Vernon

16. Marc Jones

17. Lee Imiolek

18. Vadim Cobilas

19. Kearnan Myall

20. Andy Powell

21. Scott Mathie

22. Sam Tuitupou

23. Joaquin Tuculet

Sharks’ Executive Director of Sport Steve Diamond said, “On the back of two away wins, we’ve now got two matches at Edgeley Park – both completely different. The pressure of progressing in the Amlin Challenge Cup is there – we want to win it.  We’re fielding a strong side.  We know that Agen will be making changes after their Top 14 match last Tuesday, but their team will be in accordance with the competition rules, selected from their nominated squad.

We know it will be a highly competitive game on Sunday, and we want our home crowd to be vociferous.”

The match sees several regular starters rested, although the DOR admits with the lack of squad numbers the Knights will always put out a strong side and gives different players the chance to stake a claim for a starting jersey.

Doncaster have suffered some untimely injuries, but Davey see’s the competition as a massive opportunity for his side to claim for further silverware.

“I’d love to give our captain Chris Hallam a rest, but we have no other scrum-half. We emphasise impact from the bench and we have picked replacements who can change the game to give us a shot at the knockout stages.”

The side includes two players recently returned from loan spells, and Davey believes prop Royce Burke-Flynn and winger Michael Bateman have both come back stronger players.

“Royce has proven himself in recent weeks and there is strong competition between him and Alex Brown at tight-head now. Bateman’s loan was good for him – he scored a few tries for Hull Ionians and he’s more confident now. The game-time has made a difference for both of them.”

The Knights’ chances of progressing to the knock-out stages of the Cup depend on them claiming victory over Swansea and other results going their way – and Davey has assured supporters that his team will be playing for a bonus point to maximise their chances.

The DOR remains positive about the injury crisis at Castle Park, and with several senior players due to return soon the squad’s problems look to be easing.

“We’ve got a few players starting to return in the next 2/3 weeks. I’ve always said that we need to keep our main group of players fit until the start of the play-offs – then we’ll be up there with the top sides.”

Knights v Swansea

15 Dougie Flockhart

14 Ben Toft

13 Oli Goss

12 Fred Burdon

11 Michael Bateman

10 David McIlwaine

9 Chris Hallam ©

1 Tom Davies

2 Jack Yeandle

3 Royce Burke-Flynn

4 Glen Kenworthy

5 Dominic Parsons

6 Andy Boyde

7 David Bradford

8 Michael Noone

16 Andy Brown

17 Steve Boden

18 Sam Cooke

19 Chris Planchant

20 Zack Farivarz

21 Latu Makaafi

22 Michael Keating

There are several changes to the side that defeated Glasgow Warriors in the previous round with Fergus McFadden named at outside centre alongside Gordon D’Arcy.

Up front, Damian Browne makes his second start in the Heineken Cup this term and the Galway man will partner skipper Leo Cullen at second row, with Richardt Strauss named in the front row alongside Heinke van der Merwe and Mike Ross.

Kevin McLaughlin joins fellow Ireland internationals Jamie Heaslip and Sean O’Brien in the back row.

Isaac Boss, Gordon D’Arcy and Rob Kearney – who were all try-scorers in the 38-13 victory over Glasgow in the RDS last month – are also selected in the starting side.

Meanwhile Ireland internationals Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Shane Jennings, Eoin Reddan and Devin Toner are named on a strong looking bench.

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney
14: Isa Nacewa
13: Fergus McFadden
12: Gordon D’Arcy
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Damian Browne
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Sean O’Brien
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Sean Cronin
17: Cian Healy
18: Nathan White
19: Devin Toner
20: Shane Jennings
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Ian Madigan
23: Eoin O’Malley

REFEREE: Jerome Garces (FFR), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Patrick Péchambert, Franck Maciello (both FFR), TMO: Jean Claude Levrier (FFR)

The scheduled away fixture will be played this Sunday (ko 3pm), and following their poor start to the season Leeds have indeed got back on track, with last Sunday’s 33-19 defeat at Bristol being their only reverse in their last eight games.

It’s a seventh versus fourth clash, where the Pirates will be keen to avoid three consecutive away losses by building upon their convincing 42-10 points home win against London Scottish last weekend. Fly-half Myles Dorrian, on loan from Exeter Chiefs, will make his second appearance for the Cornish club in a side that will once again be captained by flanker Chris Morgan in the absence of injured scrum-half Gavin Cattle.

There are few other changes in the side that beat ‘Scottish’, but one that supporters will be delighted to note is the return to the starting line-up of experienced prop Alan Paver, who is the club’s longest serving present player.

Cornish Pirates: R. Cook, G. Pointer, D. Locke, S. Hill, D. Doherty, M. Dorrian, T. Kessell, B. Maidment, C. Morgan (capt), K. Marriott, I. Nimmo, L. McGlone, A. Paver, R. Elloway, R. Storer.

Replacements: P. Andrew, D. Ward, R. Brits, M. Smith, P. Burgess, J. Doherty, R. McAtee.

Saturday 10th December, 3.00pm kick off at Molesey Road, Esher

For the visit to fellow bottom-of-the-table club, Esher, Moseley make just one change to the side which beat Doncaster at Billesley Common last week. Paul Spivey comes in at lock to take the place of Dan Sanderson.

Moseley won the corresponding match at home in September, and will be hoping to get their first “double” of the season against opponents who will be buoyed by a narrow defeat to in-form Nottingham last Friday.

Starting 15: 01. Tom WARREN; 02.Adam CAVES; 03. Craig VOISEY; 04.David LYONS; 05.Paul SPIVEY; 06.Neil MASON; 07.Michael ELLERY; 08.Chevvy PENNYCOOK; 09. Ryan GLYNN; 10. Bradley DAVIES; 11. William ROBINSON; 12.Andy REAY; 13. Greg KING; 14.Brad HUNT; 15. Anthony CARTER

Replacements: 16. Anthony O’DONNELL;17. Charley THOMAS; 18. Dan SANDERSON; 19. Michael MALTMAN; 20.Mike GILLICK; 21. Ryan de la HARPE; 22 Oliver THOMAS.

Titans coach Andre Bester has made three changes in the pack; club captain Sam Dickinson returns at lock for Barney Maddison. In the front row Bester continues his rotation policy as Shane Cahill comes in for Jamie Kilbane at loose head prop and Dan Baines replaces Ted Stagg at hooker.

The only change along the back line sees Jimmy Williams given the number nine shirt ahead of Matt Rhodes.

There is a long history between Rotherham and Bedford and the majority of encounters have always been tight, close, competitive affairs. One of Titans greatest days in their history was beating Bedford over a two-legged play-off back in 2000 which propelled the Clifton Lane men into the top tier of English rugby.

However the overall league head to head, including play-off games, sees Bedford holding a narrow 14-13 advantage. Furthermore, Titans have not beaten Bedford at Goldington Road for over five years, the last time being back in November 2006 when a late Gareth Steenson penalty sealed a 34-32 victory.

Andre Bester anticipates a stern challenge this weekend as his pre-match remarks testify, “Bedford are a very strong side and their intensity is very high right now and their consistency over the last few weeks has been very good. Of all the top sides I think London Welsh and Bedford have shown the most consistency over recent weeks.”

Bester continued his appraisal, “We know we have a tough task ahead of us and we know they are capable of playing the complete game. They play a very entertaining game and they play with a very quick tempo with quick hands. Mike Rayer has a deserved reputation of developing players and playing a style of rugby which is pleasing on the eye.

“They have a stronger scrum this year than they’ve had in previous years; the scrum has become a strength of theirs. They’ve always had a strong, solid line out, but it’s their ability to move the ball quickly that has always been their strength.”

Bester finishes his summary as he explains what he looking for from the game, “There’s no doubt about it, Bedford are a very dangerous side and the game will serve as a barometer for us and it will enable us to see exactly where we are and what we need to do come play-off time. For me that is what the Bedford match is all about and we’ll have a good idea on Saturday of where we are in the big picture!”

Rotherham Titans: 15 Tom Foden, 14 Ed Tellwright, 13 Dave McCall, 12 Pale Nonu, 11 Shane Monahan, 10 Garry Law, 9 Jimmy Williams, 1 Shane Cahill, 2 Dan Baines, 3 Rob O’Donnell, 4 Sam Dickinson (Capt.), 5 Adrian Griffiths, 6 Robin Copeland, 7 Sean Dougall, 8 Semisi Taulava.

Replacements from: 16 Ted Stagg, 17 Jamie Kilbane, 18 Ben Hooper, 19 Barney Maddison, 20 Carl Kirwan, 21 Matt Rhodes, 22 Cliffie Hodgson, 23 Stephen Hamilton, 24 Elliot Brierley.

Neath make 4 changes from the side that defeated Swansea so stylishly 21-6 last week with wing David Evans, centre Nathan Brew and props Nicky Downs and Tom Price come into the starting line up.

Neath coach Patrick Horgan was pleased with his side’s effort against Swansea saying, “On a filthy night, we battled really hard for everything, played with great purpose throughout and were a little unlucky not to get the bonus point.

“The result took us top of the Premiership but we don’t expect to be there long as Llandovery are not in the British & Irish Cup and have a home game against Pontypool which they will be favoured to win.

“Cross Keys will be a very different order from Swansea. They are an abrasive, combative side up front with a good set-piece and real quality behind where Mark Ring is getting them to play in his own image.

“They have been making confident noises – they’re a good club and don’t depend too much on regional imports although they have been fortunate to have both Stefan and Matthew Jones, our former outside-half, turning out for them. It will be another test of our resolve.”

Neath v Cross Keys (Away)
A.Jenkins; K.James, N.Brew, G.McCarthy, D.Evans; D.Langdon, C.Morgans; N.Downs, R.Clancy, T.Price; E.Evans, J.Griffiths; L.Evans, A.Powell, G.Gravell (captain)
Replacements : O.Ford, A.Littlehales, J.Reeves, L.Ward, J.Davies, A.Bramwell, T.Barry

Next Fixtures
Sat December 17 Plymouth Albion Home 2.30pm B&I
Mon December 26 Aberavon Home 4.00pm PP