All three changes are among the backs where Carlos Spencer, Johnny Howard and Jon Clarke return in place of Will Harries, Mark Robinson and David Smith. The forwards meanwhile are unchanged.

Mallinder is anticipating a tough battle at Sharman’s Cross Road.

“The Bees are no pushovers on their own ground,” he said today. “They have beaten Doncaster there and ran Nottingham very close a couple of weeks ago. There is a good chance that the pitch will be heavy and with rain forecast the conditions will be a real leveller.

“After two matches where our backs have dominated, it is time for the forwards to step up and show their quality once more. They have performed very well this season, especially since Christmas, and tomorrow’s game will be another tough battle.

“Physically we will have to be at our best and our concentration levels must be high from the first whistle. We will have to play the conditions and impose our game plan on the match.”

You can watch forwards coach Dorian West and Paul Diggin preview the match on TVNorthants by clicking here.

Tonight’s man in the middle is Rowan Kitt, who takes charge of a Saints game for the fourth time this season.

Tickets will be available on the gate for tomorrow’s match. Travelling supporters should note that there is no car parking at the Sharman’s Cross Road ground itself. There are approx 100 spaces at Sharman’s Cross School (a couple of minutes walk) and plenty more in the pay and display car park at Solihull train station (approx 10 mins walk). The weather forecast is for heavy rain and waterproofs are recommended!

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS SQUAD TO PLAY PERTEMPS BEES
National League One
Sharman’s Cross Road; Saturday, March 15th, 2008; kick-off 2pm
Backs:
Joe Ansbro, Jon Clarke, Paul Diggin, James Downey, Barry Everitt, Johnny Howard, Stephen Myler, Bruce Reihana, Carlos Spencer, Neil Starling, Ian Vass.

Forwards:
Chris Budgen, James Cannon, Mark Easter, Darren Fox, Dylan Hartley, Phil Hoy, Ben Lewitt, Matt Lord, Alex Rae, Paul Shields, Tom Smith, Barry Stewart, Soane Tonga’uiha.

If you cannot make it to Birmingham then head to the Bedford International Stadium, where the Saints Under-19s are playing Bedford Under-19s at 1pm.