Summer signing Andrew Kellaway will make his first appearance for Northampton as the Wanderers continue their Premiership Rugby Shield campaign away at Sale Jets on Monday evening.
Wandies, led by academy head coach Mark Hopley and academy manager Simon Sinclair, opened up their defence of the Shield competition with a hard-earned 19-18 victory over Leicester Tigers last week. And another away trip awaits the side as they travel to Heywood Road (kick-off 7.45pm).
Australian Kellaway, who arrived at Franklin’s Gardens over the summer from the Sydney-based Waratahs, starts in the centres with England Under-20 international Fraser Dingwall switching inside into the No.12 jersey.
Nafi Tuitavake is selected on the wing with the fit-again George Furbank at fullback, and Ollie Sleightholme has recovered from the illness that kept him out of last Monday’s game at Tigers to complete the back three.
James Grayson starts at fly-half, while No.9 Alex Mitchell, prop Francois Van Wyk and second row Api Ratuniyarawa are all given more game time after being involved in the Saints squad for Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership victory over Harlequins.
Joe Gray provides some experience at hooker, with tighthead Jamal Ford-Robinson continuing his comeback from injury and Alex Moon behind them in the Wandies’ engine room.
And Paddy Ryan, Lewis Ludlam and Mitch Eadie make up a robust back-row as the Wanderers look to start the competition with back-to-back wins for the second straight year.
SALE JETS v NORTHAMPTON WANDERERS
Premiership Rugby Shield, Round 2
Monday 10 September, 2018
Heywood Road
Kick-off: 7.45pm
15 George Furbank
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Andrew Kellaway
12 Fraser Dingwall
11 Nafi Tuitavake
10 James Grayson
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Francois Van Wyk
2 Joe Gray
3 Jamal Ford-Robinson
4 Alex Moon
5 Api Ratuniyarawa
6 Paddy Ryan
7 Lewis Ludlam
8 Mitch Eadie
Replacements:
16 Samson Ma’asi
17 Will Davis
18 Karl Garside*
19 Devante Onojaife
20 Joe Wallace
21 Connor Tupai
22 Fraser Strachan
23 Tom Emery
*Guest player
