Ben Youngs is ready for the run-in with Leicester Tigers after making his return from injury in Saturday’s home game against Northampton Saints.

The scrum-half suffered a knee injury on Six Nations duty in England’s win over Italy but did not require surgery and has been in training in recent weeks as he built up to match fitness again.

Youngs got into the action in the 55th minute against Saints as a replacement for Sam Harrison who was making his 150th first-team appearance for the club.

“Ben had plenty of energy and worked hard,” aid head coach Matt O’Connor. “He was probably a bit rusty but he will be good for the gametime.”

Supporters also saw Manu Tuilagi on the field in the pre-match build-up as he continues his recovery from a chest muscle injury suffered in the home win over Wasps last month.

Jonah Holmes returned from a hamstring injury to join Youngs on the field in the closing stages of Saturday’s game and almost provided a fairtyale ending only to have a score disallowed as Tigers  were beaten 21-27 by Saints.

Brendon O’Connor and Mike Williams have returned to training after recent injury worries and George McGuigan was back on the field in the ‘A’ League two weeks ago after a lengthy absence. Manu Tuilagi, too, is working on his recovery after suffering a chest muscle injury in the win over Wasps at the end of March.

“Manu warmed up with the team today, we will work with him this week and he is doing well,” said head coach O’Connor after the derby game with Saints.

“We have five or six guys returning from injury and now we’ve got a big week before those last two games.”