Fraser Dingwall, Tom Collins and Tommy Freeman are all set for milestone appearances for Northampton Saints this weekend as the men in Black, Green and Gold host Bath Rugby.
The hosts enter Round 20 of the Gallagher Premiership sat inside the league’s play-off places, but with just four matches remaining for Saints before the semi-finals, every point is crucial if Northampton are to finish inside the top four in what is an incredibly congested table.
Saints have won seven of their eight Premiership encounters at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens this season, but while Bath are yet to win a match in 2023, Northampton were beaten 27-14 away at the Rec earlier this term.
Dingwall will skipper the men in Black, Green and Gold on what will be his 100th appearance for the Club, and the 23-year-old centre is joined in Saints’ midfield by Matt Proctor who returns to the side from injury as one of eight changes from last weekend’s loss at Bristol Bears.
Meanwhile both Freeman (50 Saints appearances) and Collins (100 Premiership appearances) celebrate landmarks on the wings for Northampton, with James Ramm returning from injury at fullback.
Tom James’ inclusion at scrum-half is also a boost for the hosts, with No.10 Fin Smith continuing inside him and hoping to pull the strings from fly-half.
Up front, it is all change in the front row as Phil Dowson opts for props Alex Waller and Paul Hill either side of hooker Robbie Smith, but Saints’ Director of Rugby sticks with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Alex Moon in the engine room.
Juarno Augustus returns to the No.8 jersey in the back row, with Sam Graham switching to flanker this week and Angus Scott-Young rounding off the pack.
Amongst the replacements for Saints this week, the likes of Callum Braley, James Grayson and Rory Hutchinson will hope to make an impact from the bench, while Sam Matavesi will cover the back row wearing No.20.
Tickets for the match at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens are still available starting from just £22 adult and £8 child*, while Saints vs Bath will also be broadcast live on BT Sport with kick-off set for 7.45pm.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs BATH RUGBY
Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 20
Friday 10 March 2023
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 7.45pm
15 James Ramm
14 Tom Collins – 100th Premiership appearance
13 Matt Proctor
12 Fraser Dingwall (c) – 100th Saints appearance
11 Tommy Freeman – 50th Saints appearance
10 Fin Smith
9 Tom James
1 Alex Waller
2 Robbie Smith
3 Paul Hill
4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
5 Alex Moon
6 Angus Scott-Young
7 Sam Graham
8 Juarno Augustus
Replacements:
16 Tom Cruse
17 Ethan Waller
18 Alfie Petch
19 Brandon Nansen
20 Sam Matavesi
21 Callum Braley
22 James Grayson
23 Rory Hutchinson
Not considered for selection:
Alex Coles, George Furbank, Mike Haywood, Emmanuel Iyogun, Courtney Lawes, Ollie Sleightholme and Karl Wilkins.
International Duty:
Lewis Ludlam, Alex Mitchell and David Ribbans (all England).
BATH RUGBY SIDE TO FACE SAINTS:
15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Max Ojomoh, 11 Matt Gallagher, 10 Orlando Bailey, 9 Louis Schreuder; 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn (c), 3 D’Arcy Rae, 4 Dave Attwood, 5 GJ van Velze, 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Chris Cloete, 8 Miles Reid.
Replacements: 16 Tom Doughty, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Josh McNally, 20 Will Spencer, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Will Butt, 23 Richard de Carpentier.
Referee: Jack Makepeace
Assistant referees: Harry Walbaum and Wayne Falla
No.4: Darryl Chapman
TMO: Rowan Kitt
Next Home Match
* All ticket prices are subject to a £1.50 booking fee.
