Phil Dowson has named an extended squad for Northampton Saints’ preseason match against Leinster Rugby, with 31 players named in the line-up for the clash at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday (7 September, kick-off: 2pm).
The men in Black, Green and Gold return to the hallowed turf in Northampton for their first preseason match of the 2024/25 campaign, facing familiar foes Leinster in their first hit-out since lifting the Gallagher Premiership trophy back in June.
Saturday’s match is a repeat of last season’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final, where Northampton and Leinster locked horns in a historic clash at Croke Park, and the Dublin side sealed a narrow 20-17 victory.
Leinster make their first visit to Northampton since 2019, when Saints hosted the Irish outfit in both a preseason match and in the pool stages of the European competition that term. That preseason tie saw several players who have gone on to become regulars in Northampton’s side first announce themselves in Black, Green and Gold – including the likes of England international Tommy Freeman, who scored one of Saints’ four tries that day on his maiden first-team appearance.
Dowson hands more young players the chance to impress this weekend, in a team captained by fullback James Ramm. Will Glister starts on the wing, Toby Thame in the centres, and Archie McParland – this year’s Blakiston Challenge winner – is named at scrum-half.
Those young faces will be joined by several senior players, with Rory Hutchinson (who on 152 appearances begins this term as Saints’ most-capped player) starting alongside Thame in the midfield, while England internationals Curtis Langdon and Tom Pearson, plus Scotland international Elliot Millar Mills, also start the clash.
The match will provide a chance for Saints supporters to see newcomers Callum Hunter-Hill and Josh Kemeny in action in Black, Green and Gold for the first time, while new signings Tom West, Luke Green, and Archie Benson are all set to enter the action from amongst the replacements.
Dowson also gives a run out to several first-year Senior Academy starlets, with scrum-half Jonny Weimann, winger Rafe Witheat, and centre Billy Pasco also named in the 31-man squad.
Saturday’s clash is included in 2024/25 Season Ticket packages, with supporters able to sit in their regular Season Ticket seat.
If you have renewed your Season Ticket this term, please bring your previous card with you on Saturday – this has been re-activated. Meanwhile new Season Ticket Holders (or those who have moved seats or changed ticket category) should have received their new card in the post. If your card has not yet arrived, please email [email protected] and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Match tickets for Saints vs Leinster remain available from just £18 adult and £7* child HERE.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs LEINSTER RUGBY
Saturday 7 September, 2024
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 2pm
15 James Ramm (c)
14 Will Glister
13 Toby Thame
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Tom Seabrook
10 Charlie Savala
9 Archie McParland
1 Emmanuel Iyogun
2 Curtis Langdon
3 Elliot Millar Mills
4 Callum Hunter-Hill
5 Chunya Munga
6 Josh Kemeny
7 Tom Pearson
8 Sam Graham
Replacements:
Robbie Smith
Craig Wright
Tarek Haffar
Tom West
Ed Prowse
Luke Green
Archie Benson
Reuben Logan
Angus Scott-Young
Henry Pollock
Jonny Weimann
Rafe Witheat
Toby Cousins
Sione Va’enuku*
Billy Pasco
Ewan Baker
Not available for selection:
Aiden Ainsworth-Cave, Emeka Atuanya, Juarno Augustus, Fyn Brown, George Hendy, Tom James, Tom Litchfield, Tom Lockett, George Makepeace-Cubitt, Burger Odendaal and George Smith.
LEINSTER SIDE TO FACE SAINTS:
15 Andrew Osborne, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Liam Turner, 12 Charlie Tector, 11 Rob Russell, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Luke McGrath; 1 Jack Boyle, 2 Gus McCarthy, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 4 Brian Deeny, 5 Conor O’Tighearnaigh, 6 Max Deegan, 7 Scott Penny, 8 Jack Conan (c).
Replacements: John McKee, Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Rabah Slimani, Rory McGuire, Alan Spicer, Alex Soroka, James Culhane, Will Connors, Cormac Foley, Fintan Gunne, Sam Prendergast, Harry Byrne, Hugh Cooney, Henry McErlean, Aitzol King.
Referee: Jack Makepeace
Assistant referees: Andy Wigley and James Clarke
*Denotes guest player
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* All match ticket prices are subject to a £1.50 booking fee
