Head coach Paul Grayson said: “Johnny brought a bit of spark to the Bristol game and I have no qualms about him doing that again. People have been asked to stand up and be counted this season. The likes of Rhodri Daives, Jon Clarke and Johnny have done really well for us this year and bode well for creating a foundation for the future.”

Howard said: “I am just going to enjoy being on the field. I would rather be on the field than not and I am looking forward to playing on the wing.”

Howard comes in place of Lamont with Ben Cohen moving into inside centre in place of the injured Luke Myring. John Rudd will start in the No 11 shirt. In the pack, Dylan Hartley will start at hooker, David Gerard at lock and Mark Soden at No 8. Steve Thompson, Matt Lord and Daniel Browne have all been moved to the bench to rest injuries they have been carrying for a few weeks. David Quinlan and Sean Lamont have also been left out of the squad to give them another week to fully recover from the injuries – hamstring and ankle – they have been struggling with.

Regarding Thompson, director of rugby Budge Pountney said: “Steve has been carrying a haematoma on his leg for the last four weeks. He can still play but Dylan deserves a go.”

He added: “We do not want to risk the likes of David and Sean with a day’s travel followed by a cold, foggy game and them injuring themselves again. This game is extremely important to us but we need to make sure we have got some boys to come back and play against Leeds the following week.”

Northampton Saints

15 BRUCE REIHANA (capt)
14 Johnny Howard
13 Jon Clarke
12 BEN COHEN
11 John Rudd
10 CARLOS SPENCER
9 MARK ROBINSON
1 TOM SMITH
2 Dylan Hartley
3 Chris Budgen
4 Damien Browne
5 DAVID GERARD
6 Ben Lewitt
7 SAM HARDING
8 Mark Soden

16 STEVE THOMPSON
17 Brett Sturgess
18 Matt Lord
19 Daniel Browne
20 Darren Fox
21 Dan Richmond
22 Mark Hopley