Five Academy players have also been included in the squad. They are prop Charlie Beech, who is just 18 years old, hooker Dylan Hartley, flanker Mathew Grove, No 8 Mark Hopley and lock/back-row Alex Rae.

Prop Pat Barnard has been left out of the squad as he is still under contract to Western Province, as has Geoff Appleford, who is struggling to return from a shoudler injury.

Saints' European campaign starts in October 22 when Viadana visit Franklin's Gardens.

The full European squad is as follows:

1 Charlie Beech
2 Chris Budgen
3 Luke Harbut
4 Colin Noon
5 Brett Sturgess
6 Tom Smith
7 Dan Richmond
8 Dylan Hartley
9 Steve Thompson
10 Mathew Grove
11 Matt Lord
12 Selborne Boome
13 Damien Browne
14 David Gerard
15 Mark Hopley
16 Alex Rae
17 Ross Beattie
18 Daniel Browne
19 Mark Soden
20 Ben Lewitt
21 Darren Fox
22 Sam Harding
23 Bruce Reihana
24 Jon Clarke
25 Seamus Mallon
26 David Quinlan
27 Rhodri Davies
28 Ben Cohen
29 Sean Lamont
30 John Rudd
31 Johnny Howard
32 Mark Robinson
33 Carlos Spencer
34 Luke Myring
35 Paul Diggin
36 Ben Jones