Northampton Saints close out the Premiership Rugby Under-18 Academy League at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday, with Academy coach Will Parkin naming his team for the end-of-season clash.
A fourth win of the term on Saturday would propel Northampton to the top of the Northern Conference standings as the winner-takes-all tie sees Saints go head to head with second-place Newcastle Falcons in the last outing before Finals Day.
And Parkin makes just two changes to the outfit that defeated Wasps 45-32 last time out, with prop Callum Smyth and lock Carn Richards-Farr both returning to an otherwise unchanged Saints side.
Captain George Patten will lead Saints out on the main pitch at the Gardens from No. 8, with Ted Reid and Henry Pollock beside him in the back row.
Smyth comes into the front row alongside hooker Craig Wright and prop Nicholas Tarr, while Richards-Farr packs down with George Lavender in the engine room.
And Saints remain completely unchanged in the backs; with Harry Hall and Tommy Taylor staying on in the half-back berths, Archie Kean and Toby Cousins manning the centres, and Frankie Sleightholme, Ethan Thorne and Jody Devine rounding off the back three.
The Carlsberg Stand at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens will be open for supporters who wish to attend this match – entrance will be free of charge via Gates 1 & 3 only, with seating within the stand unrestricted. The Rodber Bar will be open, as well as a food outlet in the Supporter Village, and free parking is available in Car Park D.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS U18s vs NEWCASTLE FALCONS U18s
Premiership Rugby Under-18 Academy League
Saturday 12 January, 2022
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 2pm
15 Jody Devine
14 Ethan Thorne
13 Toby Cousins
12 Archie Kean
11 Frankie Sleightholme
10 Tommy Taylor
9 Harry Hall
1 Callum Smyth
2 Craig Wright
3 Nicholas Tarr
4 Carn Richards-Farr
5 George Lavender
6 Ted Reid
7 Henry Pollock
8 George Patten (capt)
Replacements:
16 Will Baker
17 Sam Ferrari
18 Will Lamprell
19 James Bennett
20 Levi Wilson
21 Archie McParland
22 Toby Thame
23 Ewan Baker
