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Freeman makes 100th appearance as Saints’ Lions return for Leicester Tigers clash

Tommy Freeman brings up a century of appearances in Black, Green and Gold on Saturday, as Derby Weekend arrives at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens with Northampton Saints taking on East Midlands rivals Leicester Tigers.

The 24-year-old winger first ran out in a Saints shirt against Sale Sharks in the PREM Rugby Cup back in 2019, and has gone from strength to strength since – now calling himself an England and British & Irish Lions starter. 

Freeman will run out for his seventh East Midlands Derby on Saturday, as one of seven changes to Phil Dowson’s side in Round 3 of the Gallagher PREM. 

Fellow British & Irish Lions Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith partner up in Northampton’s half-back berths against Leicester, as they both make their first appearances of the new term.

Fraser Dingwall returns to the starting XV in Saints’ centres, alongside last weekend’s player of the match Rory Hutchinson – whose stellar performance against Gloucester saw him secure four jackal turnovers and assist two tries as Northampton stayed unbeaten in the league. 

Freeman brings up his 100th appearance on Saints’ right wing, with fellow winger Edoardo Todaro and fullback George Hendy – who already have three tries between them in the PREM so far – completing the back three against Tigers.

Emmanuel Iyogun is the only remaining face from last weekend’s front row, as Trevor Davison returns at tighthead prop and hooker Robbie Smith starts his first match in Black, Green and Gold in almost an entire year.

Alex Coles shifts into the back row for this weekend’s clash, allowing Tom Lockett to move into the starting line-up after featuring off the bench last time out – he joins JJ Van Der Mescht in the engine room against Leicester. 

Coles starts alongside fellow flanker Tom Pearson in the back row, while Callum Chick takes on the captain’s duties for the third time in his Saints career as he starts at No.8 this weekend. 

Saints’ bench also holds some returning faces, with Henry Pollock making his first appearance since touring with the Lions over the summer, and Josh Kemeny recovering from injury to feature in his first match of the season. The likes of Danilo Fischetti, Archie McParland, Anthony Belleau and Tom Litchfield are all also named amongst Saints’ replacements and will hope to make an impact if they enter the action.

Tickets for Saints vs Tigers are now completely SOLD OUT! A limited number of re-sale tickets (from Season Ticket Holders unable to attend the fixture) may be available HERE

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs LEICESTER TIGERS
Gallagher PREM, Round 3
Saturday 11 October, 2025
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3.05pm

15 George Hendy
14 Tommy Freeman – 100th Saints appearance
13 Rory Hutchinson
12 Fraser Dingwall
11 Edoardo Todaro
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell

1 Emmanuel Iyogun
2 Robbie Smith
3 Trevor Davison
4 Tom Lockett
5 JJ Van Der Mescht
6 Alex Coles
7 Tom Pearson
8 Callum Chick (c)

Replacements:
16 Craig Wright
17 Danilo Fischetti
18 Luke Green
19 Josh Kemeny
20 Henry Pollock
21 Archie McParland
22 Anthony Belleau
23 Tom Litchfield

Not considered for selection:
Emeka Atuanya, George Furbank, Tom James, Curtis Langdon, Cleopas, Kundiona, Elliot Millar Mills, Chunya Munga, James Ramm, Ollie Sleightholme and Charlie Ulcoq.

TIGERS TEAM TO FACE SAINTS:
15 Freddie Steward, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Will Wand, 12 Solomone Kata, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Billy Searle, 9 Jack van Poortvliet; 1 Nicky Smith, 2 Jamie Blamire, 3 Joe Heyes, 4 Harry Wells, 5 Ollie Chessum (c), 6 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Emeka Ilione.
Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Joaquín Moro, 20 Olly Cracknell, 21 Tom Whiteley, 22 James O'Connor, 23 Orlando Bailey.

Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant referees: Alex Thomas and John Meredith
No.4: Neil Chivers
TMO: Peter Allan

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