Heinrich Brüssow and Tom Collins are both set to make injury returns for Northampton Saints this weekend, with director of rugby Chris Boyd naming a side containing 12 changes for the side's round four European Challenge Cup clash.
The men in Black, Green and Gold travel to Romania to face Timisoara Saracens for the first time in the Club’s history with their destiny in their own hands in Pool One.
Saints sit second behind Clermont Auvergne after three rounds of the competition so far, having swept aside Dragons 48-14 last time out.
Wing Collins makes his first appearance since fracturing his eye socket against Gloucester in the Premiership Rugby Cup last month, and comes into the back three alongside Ahsee Tuala and Matt Worley – who is set to make his European debut for Saints.
Luther Burrell captains the side for the first time in his Northampton career from inside centre, with another European debutant in Fraser Dingwall returning to Saints’ midfield alongside him, while James Grayson and Alex Mitchell partner each other in the half-back berths.
Reece Marshall, Francois van Wyk and Paul Hill make up a new-look Saints front row, with David Ribbans and last weekend’s man-of-the-match Api Ratuniyarawa providing the grunt in the engine room.
Flanker Brüssow makes his first appearance in Black, Green and Gold since September, with Devante Onojaife notching up a European debut on the blindside and No.8 Mitch Eadie rounding off the pack.
Meanwhile amongst the replacements Alex Coles and Paddy Ryan are also set for their first Challenge Cup appearances if they are introduced off the bench.
Tickets are still available for Northampton Saints’ next home match, with Chris Boyd’s men taking on Exeter Chiefs at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday 28 December (kick-off: 7.45pm). To buy tickets now, please CLICK HERE.
TIMISOARA SARACENS v NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
European Challenge Cup, Round Four
Saturday 15 December, 2018
Stadionul Dan Păltinișanu
Kick-off: 2.30pm (local time)
15 Ahsee Tuala
14 Matt Worley
13 Fraser Dingwall
12 Luther Burrell (c)
11 Tom Collins
10 James Grayson
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Francois van Wyk
2 Reece Marshall
3 Paul Hill
4 David Ribbans
5 Api Ratuniyarawa
6 Devante Onojaife
7 Heinrich Brüssow
8 Mitch Eadie
Replacements:
16 James Fish
17 Will Davis
18 Ehren Painter
19 Alex Moon
20 Alex Coles
21 Paddy Ryan
22 Charlie Davies
23 Rory Hutchinson
Not available for selection:
Ken Pisi (shoulder), Nafi Tuitavake (neck), Andy Symons (knee), Harry Mallinder (knee), James Haskell (ankle), James Craig (concussion), Tom Emery (shoulder), Mikey Haywood (knee), Piers Francis (shoulder), Andrew Kellaway (ankle) and George Furbank (concussion).
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