Northampton Saints lock horns with Munster Rugby for the third time in 12 months this weekend, as the Investec Champions Cup pool stages wrap up at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
The men in Black, Green and Gold’s 23-26 victory at Thomond Park in the final Pool round last season set up a re-match at cinch Stadium in the knock-out stages, where a splendid George Hendy double would seal a 24-14 win for Saints in the Round-of-16.
This term, Northampton have already sealed their space in the next stage of the European tournament, and make six changes to the starting line-up for the visit of Munster, with captain Fraser Dingwall among those returning to the starting XV as Saints hope to seal a home tie in this season’s Round-of-16.
Forwards Curtis Langdon, Alex Coles, Tom Pearson and Juarno Augustus also come back into Saints’ side in Round 4, while fly-half Fin Smith recovers from the illness that kept him out of last weekend’s match-up with Stade Francais to start on Saturday.
Props Tarek Haffar and Trevor Davison stay on in Northampton’s front row as Langdon comes in at hooker, while incoming Coles joins one of last weekend’s try-scorers Tom Lockett in Saints’ engine room.
Saints shuffle the back row for the visit of Munster, with only Josh Kemeny remaining on to start at blindside flanker, alongside openside Pearson and No.8 Augustus.
Alex Mitchell and returning Smith man the half-back berths for Saints in Round 4, while captain Dingwall joins Rory Hutchinson – who was named in Scotland’s Guinness Six Nations squad earlier this week – in Northampton’s midfield.
Meanwhile, the men in Black, Green and Gold remain unchanged in the back three, with wingers Tom Seabrook and Tommy Freeman lining up alongside fullback James Ramm there.
Saints opt for a six-two bench against Munster, with the likes of Callum Hunter-Hill, Henry Pollock, Tom James and Tom Litchfield all set to enter the action at cinch Stadium.
Tickets for Saints vs Munster 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 MUNSTER RUGBY
Investec Champions Cup, Round 4
Saturday 18 January, 2025
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3.15pm
15 James Ramm
14 Tommy Freeman
13 Fraser Dingwall (c)
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Tom Seabrook
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Tarek Haffar
2 Curtis Langdon
3 Trevor Davison
4 Alex Coles
5 Tom Lockett
6 Josh Kemeny
7 Tom Pearson
8 Juarno Augustus
Replacements:
16 Henry Walker
17 Tom West
18 Luke Green
19 Callum Hunter-Hill
20 Angus Scott-Young
21 Henry Pollock
22 Tom James
23 Tom Litchfield
Not available for selection:
Emeka Atuanya, George Furbank, Sam Graham, George Hendy, Emmanuel Iyogun, Temo Mayanavanua, Chunya Munga, Burger Odendaal, Toby Thame, Ollie Sleightholme and Robbie Smith.
MUNSTER TEAM TO FACE SAINTS:
15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Diarmuid Kilgallen, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Dian Bleuler, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 3 Oli Jager, 4 Fineen Wycherley, 5 Tadhg Beirne (C), 6 Peter O’Mahony, 7 Alex Kendellen, 8 Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 John Ryan, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Jack O’Donoghue, 21 Paddy Patterson, 22 Tony Butler, 23 Brian Gleeson.
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
Assistant referees: Saba Abulashvili (Geo) & Rhys Jones (Wal)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
