Eadie to captain Wandies in Oxford University friendly

Mitch Eadie will skipper Northampton Wanderers this evening, as the side kick off their season with a friendly against Oxford University.

Led by Academy coaches Mark Hopley and Jake Sharp, the Wandies begin their Premiership Rugby Shield campaign later this month against Wasps, but have the chance to blow off some cobwebs against the Oxford students at Iffley Road.

The young Northampton starting XV features 11 current Academy players, with five guests in the 21-man squad also included from Coventry and Ampthill.

“We’re really excited to get the Wanderers together for our first hit-out of the season tonight,” said Sharp.

“This is a great opportunity for some of our young guys to keep themselves match fit following the conclusion of the Premiership Rugby Cup pool matches, and also to stick their hands up for first-team selection.

“Traditionally Saints have a strong record in terms of getting players through to the first team off the back of these Wanderers matches. We want our guys to learn some lessons with the Wandies, but no doubt Oxford will be a well-disciplined outfit too, so we can’t afford to take them lightly.

“Northampton supporters have always really backed the Wandies and we’ve got another lively, talented bunch of lads for them to watch progress this season – hopefully we can give them something to cheer about again, starting with a good win tonight.”

OXFORD UNIVERSITY vs NORTHAMPTON WANDERERS
Friendly
Friday 8 November 2019
Iffley Road
Kick-off: 7.15pm

15 Tommy Freeman
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Ryan Olowofela
12 Dan Lewis* (Coventry)
11 Josh Gillespie
10 Tommy Mathews
9 Connor Tupai

1 Emmanuel Iyogun
2 Michael van Vuuren
3 Karl Garside
4 Lewis Bean
5 Devante Onojaife
6 Mitch Eadie (c)
7 Ollie Newman
8 Tui Uru

Replacements
17 Jack Hughes
18 Ed Prowse* (Coventry)
19 Rob Langley* (Ampthill)
20 JJ Tonks
22 Louis Bear* (Coventry)
23 Robbie Povey* (Coventry)

* Guest player