Temo Mayanavanua, Juarno Augustus and Fin Smith all return to Northampton Saints’ starting line-up this week, as the men in Black, Green and Gold face ASM Clermont Auvergne in the Investec Champions Cup knock-outs.
The trio come back in for Northampton’s second consecutive Round-of-16 clash on home soil – with the side having defeated Munster Rugby 24-14 in the same match last season, with a brace of late George Hendy tries sealing the win.
Clermont make the journey to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens for the first time since 2018, and Phil Dowson’s side will be looking for their second victory over the French side on Northampton soil, when tries from Teimana Harrison, Nafi Tuitavake, Ben Foden, Ken Pisi and Cobus Reinach secured a spectacular 34-21 triumph.
Fraser Dingwall leads the men in Black, Green and Gold for the seventh time this season, partnering Burger Odendaal in Saints’ centres against Clermont.
Northampton’s back three remains unchanged with wings George Hendy and Tommy Freeman and fullback James Ramm all starting, while fly-half Smith returns to the half-back fold to start alongside No.9 Alex Mitchell on Friday.
Dowson names an unchanged front row of Emmanuel Iyogun, Curtis Langdon and Trevor Davison, with incoming Mayanavanua partnering fellow lock Alex Coles behind them in the second row.
In Saints’ back row, Josh Kemeny and Henry Pollock reprise their roles as flankers, with Augustus coming into the starting line-up to start at No.8 against Clermont.
Saints opt for a six-two bench again this week, with the likes of Tom Lockett, Angus Scott-Young, Tom Pearson and Rory Hutchinson all set to enter the action at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
Tickets for Friday’s clash remain available from just £25 adult / £9 child* HERE.
Predict the time of the first try in Saints vs Clermont HERE and be in with a chance of winning some amazing prizes from EPCR’s partner Tissot – including a Tissot watch!
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE
Investec Champions Cup, Round of 16
Friday 4 April, 2025
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 8pm
15 James Ramm
14 Tommy Freeman
13 Burger Odendaal
12 Fraser Dingwall (c)
11 George Hendy
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Emmanuel Iyogun
2 Curtis Langdon
3 Trevor Davison
4 Temo Mayanavanua
5 Alex Coles
6 Josh Kemeny
7 Henry Pollock
8 Juarno Augustus
Replacements:
16 Henry Walker
17 Tom West
18 Luke Green
19 Tom Lockett
20 Angus Scott-Young
21 Tom Pearson
22 Tom James
23 Rory Hutchinson
Not available for selection:
Emeka Atuanya, George Furbank, Sam Graham, George Makepeace-Cubitt, Archie McParland, Toby Thame, Ollie Sleightholme, and Robbie Smith.
CLERMONT SIDE TO FACE SAINTS:
15 Alex Newsome, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Irae Simone, 12 George Moala, 11 Alivereti Raka, 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Sebastien Bezy; 1 Giorgi Akhaladze, 2 Barnabe Massa, 3 Cristian Ojovan, 4 Rob Simmons, 5 Thomas Ceyte, 6 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Killian Tixeront, 8 Fritz Lee (c).
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga'a, 17 Etienne Falgoux, 18 Michael Ala'alatoa, 19 Anthime Hemery, 20 Alexandre Fischer, 21 Jules Bousquet, 22 Ben Urdapilleta, 23 Pierre Fouyssac.
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRE)
Assistant referees: Andrew Cole and Padraic Reidy (both IRE)
No.4: James Clarke (ENG)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
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