| Northampton Saints’ new captain Steve Thompson and Ben Cohen, who have been on international duty for the past three weeks will both start Saturday’s game against double Heineken Cup champions Toulouse.
Cohen will start the game at centre alongside Marc Stcherbina, one of just two players to have started every game this season – the other being Bruce Reihana. Also back into the side are the fit-again duo of Paul Grayson and Corne Krige.
Pountney said today: “To be honest, Ben would have played in any position this weekend – he is chomping at the bit. He is very excited about the game, especially as he has not played a great deal of rugby recently. Both Ben and Steve Thompson have come back and have been very enthusiastic in training this week.”
Players not considered due to injury were Chris Hyndman (neck), Selborne Boome (knee), Tom Smith (knee) and Robbie Kempson (neck).
The last time Saints met Toulouse was in the 2003 quarter-final when a solitary Jon Sleightholme try was not enough to beat the home side. The score that day was 32-16.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
15 BRUCE REIHANA
14 Wylie Human
13 BEN COHEN
12 Marc Stcherbina
11 Jon Clarke
10 PAUL GRAYSON
9 MARK ROBINSON
1 Chris Budgen
2 STEVE THOMPSON (capt)
3 ROBBIE MORRIS
4 Matt Lord
5 Damien Browne
6 Mark Soden
7 CORNE KRIGE
8 ANDREW BLOWERS
Replacements TBC
A few tickets are still available for Saturday’ all-important poll three clash. Call the ticket office today on 01604 581000.
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