Wanderers make five changes for trip to Wasps

Northampton Wanderers coaches Mark Hopley and Simon Sinclair have made five changes to their side that will travel to face Wasps on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 1pm).

After back-to-back wins over Worcester Cavaliers and Sale Jets over the last two weeks, the two-time defending champions sit second in the Northern Conference of the competition.

Victory over Wasps at Broadstreet RFC would close the gap to Newcastle Falcons ahead of them with a handful of pool matches remaining.

Following a hat-trick last time out against Sale Ollie Sleightholme keeps his place on the wing, with George Furbank at fullback and Andrew Kellaway making his return from an ankle injury to complete the back three.

Rory Hutchinson shifts to outside centre with Fraser Strachan coming into the midfield alongside him, while No.9 Alex Mitchell returns to Wandies action to join James Grayson in the half-backs.

Props Will Davis and Ehren Painter play together again in the front row, but Samson Ma’asi comes into the starting XV for the first time this season.

Api Ratuniyarawa is selected alongside Alex Moon in the engine room while Devante Onojaife, Paddy Ryan and Mitch Eadie complete Northampton’s line-up in the back row.

WASPS v NORTHAMPTON WANDERERS
Premiership Rugby Shield, Round Seven
Sunday 30 December, 2018
Broadstreet RFC
Kick-off: 1pm

15 George Furbank
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Rory Hutchinson
12 Fraser Strachan
11 Andrew Kellaway
10 James Grayson
9 Alex Mitchell

1 Will Davis
2 Samson Ma’asi
3 Ehren Painter
4 Alex Moon
5 Api Ratuniyarawa
6 Devante Onojaife
7 Paddy Ryan
8 Mitch Eadie

Replacements
16 George Newman*
17 Toby Trinder
18 Jamal Ford-Robinson
19 Alex Coles
20 Joe Wallace
21 Charlie Davies
22 Connor Tupai
23 Matt Worley

* Guest Player