Tighthead prop White joins Marcos Ayerza and Mefin Davies in the front row, while Rugby World Cup winner Kay teams up with Geoff Parling at lock.
Tuilagi comes in on the wing, with Scott Hamilton moving to full-back in the absence of Ireland international Geordan Murphy.
Back-rower Newby leads out the team as captain for the first time. The New Zealander has previous captaincy experience with Otago.
Sam Vesty and Johne Murphy are recalled to the matchday 23.
Head coach Richard Cockerill said: “It should be a great occasion. It’s first versus second in the table, live on TV and a local derby, so there’s a decent mix there for a good game.
“We’ve got a five-point lead in the league but the other sides have a game in hand on us. If we can win this weekend, we beat one of our nearest rivals and that puts us that bit further ahead. But if we lose, everyone else gets that bit closer to us.
“Saints haven’t lost at home and the pressure will be on them to maintain that run.”
Tigers are without Lucas Amorosino, Richard Blaze, Tom Croft, Dan Hipkiss and Aaron Mauger due to injury. Geordan Murphy (Ireland), Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy), Dan Cole, Louis Deacon, Lewis Moody and Toby Flood (England) are on international duty.
Turnstiles open at 3pm, with the England versus Ireland clash being shown in the bars and on the big screen.
Saturday's game is already a sell-out at frankjlin's Gardens.
For supporters not travelling to Franklin's Gardens, the Saints v Tigers match will also be shown on the big screen in the Tiger Bar at Welford Road.
You can also keep in touch via the Tigers website and our Twitter site at http://twitter.com/leicesterrugby
Leicester Tigers (v Northampton Saints, Franklin’s Gardens, Saturday 6pm)
15 Scott Hamilton
14 Alesana Tuilagi
13 Matt Smith
12 Anthony Allen
11 Lote Tuqiri
10 Jeremy Staunton
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Mefin Davies
3 Julian White
4 Geoff Parling
5 Ben Kay
6 Craig Newby (c)
7 Ben Woods
8 Jordan Crane
Replacements
16 George Chuter
17 Boris Stankovich
18 Robbie Harris
19 Calum Green
20 Brett Deacon
21 James Grindal
22 Sam Vesty
23 Johne Murphy
Northampton Saints
15 Bruce Reihana
14 Chris Ashton
13 Jon Clarke
12 James Downey
11 Paul Diggin
10 Stephen Myler
9 Lee Dickson
1 Soane Tonga'uiha
2 Brett Sharman
3 Brian Mujati
4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe
5 Juandre Kruger
6 Courtney Lawes
7 Neil Best
8 Phil Dowson (c)
Replacements
16 Andy Long
17 Regardt Dreyer
18 Darren Morris
19 James Cannon
20 Mark Easter
21 Alan Dickens
22 Shane Geraghty
23 Chris Mayor
