Hooker Henry Walker will become Saint #2107 this weekend, making his Northampton debut as the men in Black, Green and Gold round out 2024 by hosting Newcastle Falcons on Saturday (28 December, kick-off: 3pm).
The 26-year-old arrived in Northampton earlier this month from Ealing Trailfinders, and makes his first appearance at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens in the No.2 shirt.
Saints welcome Falcons in Round 9 of the Gallagher Premiership, having claimed victory in seven of their last eight clashes against Newcastle – with last season’s match-up in Northampton ending 38-13 in the hosts’ favour.
Ollie Sleightholme is only change to Northampton’s back three as he starts on the left wing, coming into the starting line-up this weekend to join winger Tommy Freeman and fullback George Hendy.
Fraser Dingwall returns to the captaincy this weekend as he starts in Saints’ centres, joining Tom Litchfield there against Newcastle – while Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith stay on in the hosts’ half-back berths for the clash with Falcons.
Alex Coles shifts into the engine room in Round 9 to start at lock alongside Chunya Munga, while Josh Kemeny recovers from injury to make his first appearance in Black, Green and Gold since November to start at blindside flanker for Saints.
Tom Pearson stays on at openside flanker against Newcastle and is joined by 19-year-old Henry Pollock who starts at No.8 for the fourth time this season.
Northampton opt for a six-two bench against Falcons, with the likes of Curtis Langdon, Temo Mayanavanua and Angus Scott-Young all set to enter the action – while Archie McParland and Rory Hutchinson provide Saints’ backs cover.
Tickets for Saints vs Newcastle are completely SOLD OUT! There may be a limited number of re-sale tickets available, sold by Season Ticket Holders unable to attend the festive clash. Please note, these are only available to purchase online and can be accessed HERE.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs NEWCASTLE FALCONS
Gallagher Premiership, Round 9
Saturday 28 December, 2024
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3pm
15 George Hendy
14 Tommy Freeman
13 Tom Litchfield
12 Fraser Dingwall (c)
11 Ollie Sleightholme
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Tom West
2 Henry Walker – Saint #2107
3 Trevor Davison
4 Chunya Munga
5 Alex Coles
6 Josh Kemeny
7 Tom Pearson
8 Henry Pollock
Replacements:
16 Curtis Langdon
17 Tarek Haffar
18 Luke Green
19 Temo Mayanavanua
20 Angus Scott-Young
21 Iakopo Mapu
22 Archie McParland
23 Rory Hutchinson
Not available for selection:
Emeka Atuanya, George Furbank, Sam Graham, Burger Odendaal, Toby Thame, Robbie Smith and Craig Wright.
FALCONS TEAM TO FACE SAINTS: 15 Ben Redshaw, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Alex Hearle, 12 Connor Doherty, 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Sam Stuart; 1 Murray McCallum, 2 Jamie Blamire, 3 Richard Palframan, 4 Sebastian de Chaves, 5 Kiran McDonald, 6 Freddie Lockwood, 7 Tom Gordon, 8 Callum Chick (c).
Replacements: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Micky Rewcastle, 18 Callum Hancock, 19 John Hawkins, 20 Philip van der Walt, 21 Hugh O’Sullivan, 22 Kieran Wilkinson, 23 Oli Spencer.
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant referees: Hamish Smales and Wayne Falla
No.4: Jonathan Cook
TMO: Dean Richards
