Both players have been named in Jim Mallinder’s 24-man squad and should they play in tomorrow’s sell-out game against Bedford Blues they will reach the 150 and 100 appearance mark respectively.

36-year-old Smith, a six-test British and Irish Lion with 61 caps for Scotland, joined the Saints from Brive in 2001. In his 149 appearances to date he has scored 40 tries.

27-year-old Howard made his Saints debut nearly eight years ago to the day in a Tetley’s Bitter Cup match at Sale. The scrum-half has spent his entire career at Franklin’s Gardens, winning the Middlesex Sevens in 2003 as well as the Hong Kong Sevens with England.

Mallinder today paid tribute to both players.

“Tom and Johnny have been good servants to Northampton Saints,” he said. “Their commitment to the club is continuing and if they play it is fitting that it should be in front of a packed Franklin’s Gardens.”

The Saints, which set a new National League One attendance record only two weeks ago, is expecting a full house for tomorrow’s derby which will not only be another record but could be the highest attendance in England this weekend.

Mallinder is predicting a tough game.

“Bedford had a good go at us in September,” he said. “They’ve got a tough, streetwise pack and some exciting young backs available to them. It is going to be a massive game for both clubs tomorrow where local pride is at stake. We will have to be at our very best and play with the same intensity as we did against the Cornish Pirates if we are to get anything from the game.”

Tomorrow’s referee is Greg Garner, who came on as a referee replacement in the Saints’ last home game in December.

There are only a limited number of single tickets still available for the game. Call the Saints Ticket Office for more details on 01604 581000.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS SQUAD TO PLAY BEDFORD BLUES
National League One
Franklin’s Gardens; Saturday, January 5th, 2008; kick-off 3pm
Backs:
Joe Ansbro, Chris Ashton, Jon Clarke, Paul Diggin, James Downey, Barry Everitt, Johnny Howard, Stephen Myler, Bruce Reihana, Mark Robinson, Carlos Spencer.

Forwards:
Mark Easter, Dylan Hartley, Mark Hopley, Phil Hoy, Ben Lewitt, Matt Lord, Euan Murray, Alex Rae, Paul Shields, Tom Smith, Barry Stewart, Soane Tonga’uiha, Paul Tupai.