Sam Graham will lead Northampton Saints out in their first Gallagher Premiership outing at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens this term, as Bristol Bears come to town on Saturday (21 October, kick-off: 3pm).
The men in Black, Green and Gold have claimed victory in their last eight Premiership outings at the Gardens, and go in search of their first league win of the season against Bristol after coming up just short against Sale Sharks in the 20-15 league opener last weekend.
Phil Dowson names a largely unchanged side to the one that travelled to Sale for the opening weekend, with Tom Seabrook coming in to start on Saints’ wing as the only change.
The in-form wing – who has already scored four tries in his five appearances since arriving in Northampton over the summer – is joined in Saints’ back three by James Ramm and fullback George Hendy, the latter having made more metres than any other player in the early-season Premiership Rugby Cup matches.
Seabrook’s addition sees Tommy Freeman shift into Saints’ centres this weekend to make the second start of his career in the midfield, and the 22-year-old England international partners Rory Hutchinson there.
Fin Smith is again named at fly-half for Northampton, making his fifth start of the season alongside scrum-half Tom James for the second week running – who made more kicks in play than any other player in Round 1 of the Premiership.
Meanwhile Saints remain unchanged in the forward pack, with Ethan Waller, Curtis Langdon and Trevor Davison packing down in the front row and Alex Moon and Alex Coles behind them in the engine room.
Graham captains the side from No.8 and is joined in Northampton’s back row by flankers Angus Scott-Young and Tom Pearson for the second week running.
And there is room on Saints’ bench for the likes of Alex Waller, Elliot Millar Mills, Chunya Munga, and Archie McParland – who will all be hoping to make an impact from amongst the replacements.
Tickets for Saturday’s clash between Saints and Bears remain available, with prices starting from just £23 adult / £8 child* HERE.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs BRISTOL BEARS
Gallagher Premiership, Round 2
Saturday 21 October, 2023
Kick-off: 3pm
15 George Hendy
14 Tom Seabrook
13 Tommy Freeman
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 James Ramm
10 Fin Smith
9 Tom James
1 Ethan Waller
2 Curtis Langdon
3 Trevor Davison
4 Alex Moon
5 Alex Coles
6 Angus Scott-Young
7 Tom Pearson
8 Sam Graham (c)
Replacements:
16 Robbie Smith
17 Alex Waller
18 Elliot Millar Mills
19 Tom Lockett
20 Chunya Munga
21 Archie McParland
22 James Grayson
23 Tom Litchfield
Not available for selection:
Juarno Augustus, Callum Braley, Fraser Dingwall, George Furbank, Emmanuel Iyogun, Tarek Haffar, Temo Mayanavanua, Beltus Nonleh, Burger Odendaal and Kayde Sylvester.
International duty:
Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Alex Mitchell (all England).
BRISTOL BEARS SIDE TO FACE SAINTS:
15. Rich Lane, 14. Noah Heward, 13. Virimi Vakatawa, 12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 11. Gabriel Ibitoye, 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Harry Thacker, 3. Max Lahiff, 4. James Dun, 5. Joe Batley, 6. Fitz Harding (c), 7. Dan Thomas, 8. Magnus Bradbury.
Replacements: 16. Will Capon, 17. Sam Grahamslaw, 18. George Kloska, 19. Josh Caulfield, 20. Jake Heenan, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. James Williams, 23. Piers O’Conor.
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Assistant referees: Andrew Jackson and James Clarke
No. 4: Calum Howard
TMO: Rowan Kitt
Next Home Match
* All ticket prices are subject to a £1.50 booking fee.
