mens
gallagher-prime minister
Northampton Saints have made four changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s Gallagher PREM meeting with Bath at DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
Jay Jay van der Meest, Callum Cheek, Alex Mitchell and James Pater come into the side for the third-round clash, with Bath one place above the reigning champions after two weekends in the season opener.
The game has been a lucky one for the Saints on home soil in recent years. Northampton have won every meeting between them at Franklin’s Gardens since 2021, with the last two meetings both decided by Fin Smith’s late penalties.
Smith is again named at fly-half, and is joined at half-back by British and Irish Lion Alex Mitchell.
ex-England U20 star James Pater returns at full-back after winning the club’s player of the month award for September, while Ollie Sleightholme starts on the wing alongside fellow Test player Tommy Freeman.
There is no change in midfield, where captain Fraser Dingwall partners Rory Hutchinson.
Up front, Emmanuel Iyogun, Curtis Langdon and Cleopas Kundiona have been retained in the front row. The huge Van der Mesht in the second row comes in alongside Alex Coles, while Henry Pollock moves back to openside to accommodate Callum Chick who returns to No.8.
Wallaby Josh Kemeny completes the back row.
Saints have opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, with Ed Prowse in line for his 50th appearance for the club. Robbie Smith, Danilo Fischetti and Tom Lockett represent the forwards, while Archie McParland and Anthony Belleau are substitutes in the back line.
Northampton Saints: James Pater, 14. Tommy Freeman, 13. Rory Hutchinson, 12. Fraser Dingwall (c), 11. Ollie Sleightholme, 10. Fin Smith, 9. Alex Mitchell; 1. Emmanuel Iyogun, 2. Curtis Langdon, 3. Cleopas Kundiona, 4. Alex Coles, 5. JJ Van Der Mescht, 6. Josh Kemeny, 7. Henry Pollock, 8. Callum Chick.
Replacements: 16. Robbie Smith, 17. Danilo Fischetti, 18. Ion Neculai, 19. Tom Lockett, 20. Ed Prowse, 21. Josh Taylor, 22. Archie McParland, 23. Anthony Belleau.