| Northampton Saints head coach Budge Pountney has been forced to make wholesale changes to his starting XV due to the long list of injuries that is currently plaguing the club.
Andrew Blowers (mild concussion), Ben Cohen (sprained ankle), Corne Krige (neck) and Matt Lord were added to the list after last weekend’s encounter with Toulouse. The list already included Selborne Boome (knee), Tom Smith (knee), Robbie Kempson (neck and back), James Ross (neck and back) and Bruce Reihana (hamstring).
However, Pountney did receive some good news this week surrounding the return to fitness of fly-half Paul Grayson and centre Mark Tucker. Both have been selected to start this weekend’s sixth round Powergen Cup clash against rugby neighbours and rivals Bedford Blues.
Pountney said today: “This is a local derby which we all relish. I am sure we are all looking forward to the chance to have a go at one another. We know all about their team just like they know all about ours.
“Bedford will definitely think they are in with a chance with the season we have had so far.”
NORTAHMPTON SAINTS
15 Neil Starling
14 John Rudd
13 Mark Tucker
12 Marc Stcherbina
11 Wylie Human
10 PAUL GRAYSON
9 Johnny Howard
1 Brett Sturgess
2 STEVE THOMPSON (capt)
3 ROBBIE MORRIS
4 Ed O’Donoghue
5 Damien Browne
6 Grant Seely
7 Brett McNamee
8 Mark Soden
16 Dan Richmond
17 Chris Budgen
18 Simon Emms
19 Johan van Wyk
20 MARK ROBINSON
21 Shane Drahm
22 Jon Clarke
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