Northampton Saints’ clash with London Irish this evening will bring the local rugby community to the heart of Franklin’s Gardens as the men in Black, Green and Gold don community club colours.
Taking the spirit of rugby clubs throughout the region with them onto the hallowed turf, Saints will replace their usual match socks with those from 22 clubs across Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire and Suffolk – creating an explosion of colour across the Gardens.
The 22 clubs involved will also send a member of their minis or junior section onto the pitch as team mascots when the sides take to the field.
Some of the @SaintsRugby boys wearing their community club socks for tomorrow's game 🧦
— Saints Community (@SaintsComm) January 23, 2020
Can you see your local team? pic.twitter.com/ph9iC6aFuk
And ahead of the team taking to the field this evening, each player has been paired with a club from across Saints’ region; you can see which clubs will be represented this evening below.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS v LONDON IRISH
15 Ahsee Tuala – Peterborough RFC
14 Ollie Sleightholme – Northampton Old Scouts RFC
13 Rory Hutchinson – Shelford RFC
12 Piers Francis – Olney RFC
11 Taqele Naiyaravoro – Stewart & Lloyds RFC
10 James Grayson – Old Northamptonians RFC
9 Cobus Reinach – Northampton Casuals RFC
1 Ben Franks – Towcestrians RFC
2 Mikey Haywood – Colchester RFC
3 Owen Franks – Long Buckby RFC
4 Alex Coles – Cambridge RFC
5 Api Ratuniyarawa – Rushden & Higham RFC
6 Tom Wood – Bugbrooke RFC
7 Teimana Harrison – Brackley RUFC
8 Mitch Eadie – Ipswich RFC
Replacements:
16 James Fish – Ampthill & District RFC
17 Alex Waller – Kettering RFC
18 Ehren Painter – Wellingborough RFC
19 Lewis Bean – Dunstablians RFC
20 JJ Tonks – Northampton Mens Own RFC
21 Henry Taylor – Northampton BBOB RFC
22 Andy Symons – Leighton Buzzard RFC
23 Tom Collins – Old Northamptonians RFC