Director of rugby Chris Boyd has made four changes to his Northampton Saints line-up for this Sunday’s Gallagher Premiership clash at Wasps.
The men in Black, Green and Gold head to the Ricoh Arena off the back of consecutive league victories over Worcester Warriors and Exeter Chiefs, and will be hoping to secure their first season’s double over the Coventry outfit since the 2013/14 season.
Flanker Tom Wood will lead Saints – bidding for their third away win in the Premiership this season – from the blindside.
Lewis Ludlam and No.8 Teimana Harrison continue in the line-up at the base of the scrum, while locks Courtney Lawes and David Ribbans are again selected together in the engine room.
Boyd has made two changes to his front row as props Francois Van Wyk and Ehren Painter come into the side, but hooker Reece Marshall is rewarded for an impressive all-around showing last weekend with another start.
Fraser Dingwall starts at outside centre in the only change to Northampton’s back-line, with Piers Francis ruled out through injury.
Luther Burrell starts alongside the 19-year-old in the midfield, with the in-form Cobus Reinach and Dan Biggar both retaining their spots in Saints’ half-back berths.
Ahsee Tuala, Tom Collins and Taqele Naiyaravoro make up the back three for the third game running, while there is room on the bench for Andrew Kellaway following his return from injury and scrum-half Alex Mitchell – who earlier this week signed a new contract with the Club.
Tickets are still available for Northampton Saints’ next home match, with Chris Boyd’s side taking on Timisoara Saracens in the European Challenge Cup, starting from £20 for adults and £10 for juniors. To buy now, please CLICK HERE.
WASPS v NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 12
Sunday 6 January, 2019
Ricoh Arena
Kick-off: 3pm
15 Ahsee Tuala
14 Tom Collins
13 Fraser Dingwall
12 Luther Burrell
11 Taqele Naiyaravoro
10 Dan Biggar
9 Cobus Reinach
1 Francois van Wyk
2 Reece Marshall
3 Ehren Painter
4 David Ribbans
5 Courtney Lawes
6 Tom Wood (capt)
7 Lewis Ludlam
8 Teimana Harrison
Replacements:
16 James Fish
17 Alex Waller
18 Ben Franks
19 Api Ratuniyarawa
20 Heinrich Brüssow
21 Alex Mitchell
22 James Grayson
23 Andrew Kellaway
Not available for selection:
Ken Pisi (shoulder), Nafi Tuitavake (neck), Andy Symons (knee), Harry Mallinder (knee), James Haskell (ankle), James Craig (concussion), Tom Emery (shoulder), Mikey Haywood (knee), Dylan Hartley (knee) and Piers Francis (shoulder).
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