Director of Rugby Phil Dowson has named his side for Northampton Saints’ opening Investec Champions Cup match of the season, where Cardiff Rugby are the visitors to DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
The Round 1 clash on Sunday (18 October, kick-off: 5.30pm) sees Cardiff make their first visit to Northampton since 2010, when Dowson was himself was on the field as Saints ran out 23-15 victors.
That season, Saints would reach the Final of Europe’s top-tier competition – but eventually fell to Leinster at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. That fate was repeated for Dowson’s side two seasons ago, with Saints once again reaching the Investec Champions Cup’s showpiece event only to fall at the final hurdle in Cardiff, that time to Union Bordeaux Bégles.
But after lifting the Gallagher PREM trophy for the second time in three seasons last term, Saints will be hoping to kick off this season’s European campaign in style against their Welsh opponents at DPD Stadium on Sunday.
Dowson rings the changes after last weekend’s 71-48 toppling of Bath Rugby, with Callum Chick set to captain Saints from the back row against Cardiff.
Chick is joined by one of four Champions Cup debutants in Northampton’s side in the back row, with Josh Taylor set to make his maiden appearance in the competition at openside flanker, while Josh Kemeny remains on the blindside to complete the back row.
In front of them, a refreshed tight five sees Danilo Fischetti, Robbie Smith and Tom Lockett come into the starting XV at loosehead prop, hooker, and lock respectively – with tighthead prop Cleopas Kundiona and lock JJ Van Der Mescht retaining their spots alongside them.
French fly-half Anthony Belleau makes his first start of the season as he partners scrum-half Alex Mitchell in the half-backs for the visit of Cardiff, while Toby Thame and Rory Hutchinson form Saints’ midfield behind them.
Another Champions Cup debut awaits at fullback for Saints, as James Pater prepares for his first run-out in the competition – joining wingers George Hendy and Ollie Sleightholme, who have scored seven tries between them already this season, in the back three.
Prop Ion Neculai and back row Charlie Ulcoq are primed for their first appearances in the European competition should they enter the action from the bench, while the likes of Curtis Langdon, Archie McParland, Fin Smith and Fraser Dingwall all lend their firepower to Saints’ replacements.
Cardiff’s visit to DPD Stadium is included in Saints’ 2026/27 Season Ticket packages, while match tickets remain available to purchase – with prices1 starting from £26 adult / £9 child HERE.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs CARDIFF RUGBY
Investec Champions Cup, Round 1
Sunday 18 October, 2026
DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 5.30pm
15 James Pater – Investec Champions Cup debut
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Rory Hutchinson
12 Toby Thame
11 George Hendy
10 Anthony Belleau
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Danilo Fischetti
2 Robbie Smith
3 Cleopas Kundiona
4 Tom Lockett
5 JJ Van Der Mescht
6 Josh Kemeny
7 Josh Taylor – Investec Champions Cup debut
8 Callum Chick (c)
Replacements:
16 Curtis Langdon
17 Jordan Els
18 Ion Neculai – Investec Champions Cup debut
19 Ed Prowse
20 Charlie Ulcoq – Investec Champions Cup debut
21 Archie McParland
22 Fin Smith
23 Fraser Dingwall
Not available for selection:
Ben Alexander, Trevor Davison, Malik Faissal, Luke Green, Tom Litchfield, Tom Pearson, Aidan Pugh, Edoardo Todaro, and Lefty Zigiriadis.
CARDIFF TEAM TO FACE SAINTS:
15 Matty Young, 14 Mason Grady, 13 Harri Millard, 12 Steffan Emanuel, 11 Tom Bowen, 10 Jarrod Evans, 9 Aled Davies; 1 Danny Southworth, 2 Daf Hughes (c), 3 Sam Wainwright, 4 Tom Manz, 5 Rory Thornton, 6 Semisi Paea, 7 Dan Thomas, 8 Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: 16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Rhys Barratt, 18 Joe Cowell, 19 Josh McNally, 20 Lucas De La Rua, 21 Johan Mulder, 22 Callum Sheedy, 23 Josh Adams.
Referee: Jeremy Rozier (FRA)
Assistant Referees: Thomas Charabas and Cyril Boulay (FRA)
No.4: Neil Chivers (ENG)
TMO: Julien Castaignede (FRA)