Stephen Myler and Vaughan Going both return to the side at fly-half and full-back respectively. With Carlos Spencer moving to outside centre and Bruce Reihana to the wing the two players who miss out are Seamus Mallon – who is on the bench – and Matthieu Bourret.

“Stephen’s got a lot of abilities, especially temperament,” said Grayson. “With Spencer in the centre it gives us width and distribution out wide and was something that we’d looked at doing earlier in the season. It also gives us flexibility on the bench.

“Every game from here on in we must win or get something out of. Against Leicester and Gloucester and in the second half against Bath we showed that there is character and togetherness in the squad.”

“Sale are last season’s champions, let’s not forget about that. They’ll come here with high hopes. We know it’s going to be difficult but we’ve got to concentrate on ourselves and see if we can play some rugby.

Going comes up against his former club tomorrow and is looking forward to the experience.

“I’m glad to be in the side, and to say that I’m up for the game is an understatement,” he said. “The weather’s looking good and the track’s firming up which suits my kind of running game. With Ben on one wing and Bruce on the other I’m in a back three combination which could be very exciting.”

The only change in the pack is the introduction of Ben Lewitt onto the openside flank for his first GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP start of the season. He replaces Darren Fox, who drops to the bench.

“Ben offers something a bit different,” says Grayson. “He’s a good openside, a good link man and gives us something extra in the lineout.”

“I’m looking forward to starting and taking my chance,” said Lewitt. “I’ll take the job on and be looking to add a bit in attack. It’s going to be a dry track out there and I’m looking forward to making a difference. We have to do our jobs well and get a win.”

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY SALE (Intls in CAPS)
GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP Round 19
Franklin’s Gardens, Saturday March 17, 2007
15 Vaughan Going
14 BRUCE REIHANA (capt)
13 CARLOS SPENCER
12 Robbie Kydd
11 BEN COHEN
10 Stephen Myler
9 MARK ROBINSON
1 TOM SMITH
2 Dylan Hartley
3 John Brooks
4 Damien Browne
5 Christian Short
6 PAUL TUPAI
7 Ben Lewitt
8 CHRISTIAN LABIT

Replacements
16 MATIAS CORTESE
17 SOANE TONGA’UHIA
18 Matt Lord
19 Darren Fox
20 Mark Hopley
21 Johnny Howard
22 Seamus Mallon

Tickets are still available for this match from the Northampton Saints ticket office. Tel: 01604 581000 or via the Saints website.