Phil Dowson has named his first Northampton Saints team of 2025, with the men in Black, Green and Gold set to take on Bath Rugby this weekend (Sunday 5 January, kick-off: 3pm).
Saints rounded off 2024 with a resounding 61-0 victory over Newcastle Falcons and continue in the Gallagher Premiership this weekend as they welcome league leaders Bath to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
Bath have not left Northampton victorious since 2021, whereas Dowson’s men have won thirteen of their last fourteen Premiership matches on home soil – and Saints’ Director of Rugby making five changes to his side for the New Year match-up.
The sold-out clash marks the first of a Double Header of matches on Sunday, with Saints’ Round 10 tie followed by Loughborough Lightning vs Saracens Women in Premiership Women’s Rugby.
Fraser Dingwall captains Northampton for the third time this season from Saints’ midfield, while Scotland international Rory Hutchinson comes into the starting line-up to start at centre alongside Dingwall.
James Ramm is the only change to Northampton’s back three as he starts on Saints’ left wing, joining fellow winger Tommy Freeman and fullback George Hendy.
Saints remain unchanged in the half-backs for the Bath clash, naming Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith there for the fifth week running.
Curtis Langdon returns to Northampton’s front row in Round 10, starting alongside unchanged props Tom West and Trevor Davison – while Temo Mayanavanua and Alex Coles selected behind them in Saints’ engine room.
And Juarno Augustus marks the final change to the starting line-up for the men in Black, Green and Gold as he is named at No.8 against Bath, joining last weekend’s try-scoring flankers Josh Kemeny and Tom Pearson in the back row.
Dowson opts for a six-two split on the bench for Round 10, with the likes of Henry Walker, Tom Lockett, Henry Pollock, Archie McParland and Ollie Sleightholme all set to enter the action at cinch Stadium from amongst the replacements.
Tickets for the Double Header (Saints vs Bath and Lightning vs Saracens) are completely SOLD OUT! There may be a limited number of re-sale tickets available, sold by Season Ticket Holders unable to attend the clash. Please note, these are only available to purchase online and can be accessed HERE.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs BATH RUGBY
Gallagher Premiership, Round 10
Sunday 5 January, 2025
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3pm
15 George Hendy
14 Tommy Freeman
13 Fraser Dingwall (c)
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 James Ramm
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Tom West
2 Curtis Langdon
3 Trevor Davison
4 Temo Mayanavanua
5 Alex Coles
6 Josh Kemeny
7 Tom Pearson
8 Juarno Augustus
Replacements:
16 Henry Walker
17 Tarek Haffar
18 Luke Green
19 Tom Lockett
20 Henry Pollock
21 Angus Scott-Young
22 Archie McParland
23 Ollie Sleightholme
Not available for selection:
Emeka Atuanya, George Furbank, Sam Graham, Emmanuel Iyogun, Chunya Munga, Burger Odendaal, Toby Thame and Robbie Smith.
BATH SIDE TO FACE SAINTS:
15 Orlando Bailey, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Max Ojomoh, 11 Will Muir, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben Spencer; 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Ross Molony, 6 Guy Pepper, 7 Miles Reid, 8 Alfie Barbeary.
Replacements: 16 Kepu Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Josh Bayliss, 23 Jaco Coetzee.
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
Assistant referees: Dan Jones and Calum Howard
No.4: James Pidding
TMO: Stuart Terheege
