The Northampton Saints team has been announced for the European Rugby Champions Cup opener against Montpellier.
There are three changes to the team, with Ben Foden, Harry Mallinder and Louis Picamoles all returning to the starting line-up.
There is a full preview of the Champions Cup campaign in this week’s The Saints TV Show, including interviews with Jim Mallinder, Tom Wood, Ben Foden and Sky Sports’ Graham Simmons. Watch for FREE at www.youtube.com/thesaintstv.
Tomorrow’s game will be preceded by a minute’s applause to honour the memory of Saints, England and British Lions legend Dickie Jeeps, who passed away last Sunday. Jeeps is the subject of a feature in this week’s podcast, which also includes an extended interview with Calum Clark. Listen for FREE at www.soundcloud.com/official-saints-rugby or by searching for ‘Northampton Saints’ on iTunes.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY MONTPELLIER
European Rugby Champions Cup Round 1
Franklin’s Gardens
Saturday, October 15th, 2016
Kick off 5:30pm
15 Ben Foden
14 Ken Pisi
13 George Pisi
12 Harry Mallinder
11 George North
10 Stephen Myler
9 Nic Groom
1 Alex Waller
2 Mikey Haywood
3 Kieran Brookes
4 Courtney Lawes
5 Michael Paterson
6 Tom Wood (capt)
7 Calum Clark
8 Louis Picamoles
16 Charlie Clare
17 Ethan Waller
18 Paul Hill
19 Sam Dickinson
20 Teimana Harrison
21 Lee Dickson
22 Rory Hutchinson
23 James Wilson
The club has also announced that Alex King has left the club by mutual agreement.
The former England international, who has been the club’s attack coach since arriving from Clermont Auvergne in 2013, has left Franklin’s Gardens with immediate effect, and says that he has enjoyed his time at the club.
“As of today, both myself and Northampton Saints have reached a mutual agreement that I will be leaving the club,” he said. “Helping Saints win the Aviva Premiership in 2014 is one of my career highlights and I wish both the players and staff all the success for the coming season.”
Saints chief executive Allan Robson thanked King for his contribution to the team’s successes over the past few years.
“Alex has been a valued member of the coaching staff,” he said. “He played a big role in our Aviva Premiership and Challenge Cup titles and finishing top of the table in 2015. However we feel that the time is right to move on, and Alex leaves with our thanks and best wishes for the future.”
