Phil Dowson has named an extended squad to face the Asia Pacific Lions, with the sides set to take to Racecourse International Stadium on Friday (28 August, kick-off: 11.30am UK time).
After touching down in Colombo on Sunday, the men in Black, Green and Gold have been embarking on their final preparations ahead of the 2026/27 season while experiencing the culture of Sri Lanka alongside their hosts.
But now at the business end of the week, attention turns to the clash with an Asia Pacific Lions side that is set to feature the likes of former Australian international Will Genia, Fiji’s Waisea Nayacalevu and Saint #1993 Taqele Naiyaravoro.
Chunya Munga captains Saints in Sri Lanka – leading from the second row where he partners James Bennett, with a back row of Tom Lockett, Archie Benson and Charlie Ulcoq behind them
New props Lefty Zigiriadis and Ion Neculai make their maiden bows in a Northampton shirt, starting alongside hooker Henry Walker in the front row.
A back three of speedsters Amena Caqusau, Ollie Sleightholme and James Martin starts in Colombo, with fly-half Anthony Belleau set to feature alongside young scrum-half Sonny Goode, who is set to experience his first senior Saints match.
Saints’ Under-18s centre Will Catley is also set for his first involvement in a senior Northampton side, partnering Toby Thame in the midfield to complete the starting line-up.
Dowson names an extended bench, with the likes of JJ Van Der Mescht, Archie McParland, Tom Litchfield and club captain Fraser Dingwall all set to enter the action at the Racecourse among the replacements.
The match will be streamed live on Sri Lanka’s Papare channel HERE.
ASIA PACIFIC LIONS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Club Friendly
Friday 28 August, 2026
Racecourse International Stadium, Colombo
Kick-off: 11.30am UK time
15 James Martin
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Will Catley*
12 Toby Thame
11 Amena Caqusau
10 Anthony Belleau
9 Sonny Goode
1 Lefty Zigiriadis
2 Henry Walker
3 Ion Neculai
4 James Bennett
5 Chunya Munga (c)
6 Tom Lockett
7 Archie Benson
8 Charlie Ulcoq
Replacements:
Ben Alexander
Aiden Reid
Noah Buxton
JJ Van Der Mescht
George Tonga’uiha
Archie McParland
Thomas Rowe
Fraser Dingwall
Tom Litchfield
*Saints Under-18
ASIA PACIFIC LIONS SIDE TO FACE SAINTS:
15 Jamie Henry (c), 14 Francis Morrison, 13 Apisai Naqaliva, 12 Jale Vatubua, 11 Waisea Nayacalevu, 10 Teti Tela, 9 Will Genia; 1 Emosi Tuqiri, 2 Shin Ouchi, 3 Matty Wallis, 4 Marika Vunibaka, 5 Tomasi Vunibola, 6 Meli Derenalagi, 7 Edwards Quirk, 8 Taqele Naiayavoro.
Replacements: 16 A-One Lolofie, 17 Tora Tuisasake, 18 Collin Moala, 19 Patrick Tate Parker, 20 Ananaia Rabonu, 21 Kimura Takahiro, 22 Riley Harrison 23 Apisalome Bogidrau, 24 Joseph Domoni.