Director of rugby Chris Boyd has made just two changes to his side ahead of this weekend’s Gallagher Premiership clash against Worcester Warriors – the final match at Franklin’s Gardens this season.
Props Alex Waller and Ben Franks both come in to start in the front row, while the departing Luther Burrell is also named at inside centre for his final home appearance in Black, Green and Gold before he makes the switch to rugby league this summer.
Saints will be hoping to complete a season’s double over the Warriors after a superb 32-6 triumph at Sixways back in December.
Boyd’s side, having won their last two Premiership fixtures against Harlequins and Newcastle (both on the road), are also bidding to win a third straight match for the first time in the league since September 2017 – and in doing so continue their march towards the play-off places.
Club captain Waller will lead out the side on his return to the starting XV, with World Cup winner Franks and hooker Reece Marshall alongside him in the front row.
But the rest of the pack is unchanged from last Friday’s 31-17 victory at Kingston Park, with Courtney Lawes and Api Ratuniyarawa in the engine room once more, while Jamie Gibson, Tom Wood, and No.8 Teimana Harrison make up the back row.
Boyd has also resisted the urge to tinker with his back-line, as half-backs Cobus Reinach and Dan Biggar start together again with Burrell and Rory Hutchinson outside them.
And after winning the Premiership’s try of the week award for his blistering score against Newcastle, Tom Collins retains his place within a back-three which also contains Taqele Naiyaravoro and Ahsee Tuala.
Saints are able to welcome back some reinforcements into the replacements from injury, with Piers Francis and Lewis Ludlam hoping to make an impact if introduced, while Ken Pisi will also make his Gardens farewell from the bench.
Tickets for Saints' final clash at Franklin's Gardens for the 2018/19 season are still available from £32 adults and £14 juniors and you can secure yours now by CLICKING HERE.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs WORCESTER WARRIORS
Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 21
Saturday 4 May, 2019
Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3pm
15 Ahsee Tuala
14 Tom Collins
13 Rory Hutchinson
12 Luther Burrell
11 Taqele Naiyaravoro
10 Dan Biggar
9 Cobus Reinach
1 Alex Waller (c)
2 Reece Marshall
3 Ben Franks
4 Api Ratuniyarawa
5 Courtney Lawes
6 Jamie Gibson
7 Tom Wood
8 Teimana Harrison
Replacements:
16 Samson Ma'asi
17 Francois Van Wyk
18 Paul Hill
19 Alex Coles
20 Lewis Ludlam
21 Alex Mitchell
22 Piers Francis
23 Ken Pisi
Not available for selection:
Andy Symons (knee), Harry Mallinder (knee), Mikey Haywood (knee), Dylan Hartley (knee), Paddy Ryan (knee), Fraser Dingwall (ankle), David Ribbans (ankle), Heinrich Brüssow (concussion), Alex Moon (ankle), James Craig (hamstring), Nafi Tuitavake (elbow), and George Furbank (concussion).
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