Jump to Main ContentJump to Primary Navigation
SaintsConference & EventsFoundationStore
Rugby

Saints name side to take on French champions

Travis PerkinsSponsored by Travis Perkins

Tom Stephenson, Kieran Brookes and Christian Day have all come into Northampton Saints’ starting line-up to take on Clermont Auvergne in the European Champions Cup.

Technical coaching consultant Alan Gaffney and interim head coach Alan Dickens have made three changes to the side that began last week’s triumph over Gloucester, as the Saints take on the Top 14 Champions at Franklin’s Gardens, kick-off 5.30pm.

Northampton opened up 2018 in style against the Cherry & Whites, scoring a last-minute penalty try to win 22-19 and end a run of frustrating results in the Aviva Premiership – and will now smell blood with nothing to lose in the competition against Clermont.

The only change to the back-line is caused by the ankle injury that saw Luther Burrell hobble off against Gloucester.

Stephenson comes in to replace him in the midfield after a tenacious showing off the bench last weekend, and the inside centre will celebrate his 50th appearance in the Black, Green and Gold.

Nic Groom and Harry Mallinder will continue to build their half-back partnership, with Ahsee Tuala staying at full-back and Ken Pisi – who scored on his return to the side against Gloucester – and Ben Foden remaining on the wings.

Brookes also continues his comeback from a hand injury with his first start since November, joining skipper Dylan Hartley and Campese Ma’afu in the front row.

And with Day coming into the second row alongside Api Ratuniyarawa, Courtney Lawes shifts to blindside flanker.

“The players fully understand that we didn’t perform particularly well last week, but we got the result we needed,” said Gaffney.

“We fought hard and showed a lot of commitment in what we did which was pleasing, but we understand we still made a lot of mistakes which we’ve got to rectify over time.

“Our game management has to be better at times, but we’ve addressed that and done a lot of work to understand where we can start transferring pressure away from us.

“The next two weeks still mean a lot to us and we’ve got to perform. There’s an enormous amount of improvement still left in us, and we’ve got to go in and take another step forwards.”

Tickets are still available for Saints' European Champions Cup clash with ASM Clermont Auvergne from the ticket office at Franklin’s Gardens, online by visiting bit.ly/SAI-CLE-EPCR or by calling the Saints Ticket Office on 01604 581000. Prices start at £32 for adults and £14 for juniors.

SAINTS V CLERMONT TEAM NEWS
European Champions Cup, Round 5
Franklin’s Gardens
Saturday 13 January, 2018
Kick-off: 5.30pm 

SAINTS CLERMONT

15 Ahsee Tuala
14 Ken Pisi
13 Rob Horne
12 Tom Stephenson
11 Ben Foden
10 Harry Mallinder
9 Nic Groom

1 Campese Ma’afu
2 Dylan Hartley (capt)
3 Kieran Brookes
4 Api Ratuniyarawa
5 Christian Day
6 Courtney Lawes
7 Tom Wood
8 Teimana Harrison 

Replacements:
16 Mikey Haywood
17 Francois van Wyk
18 Jamal Ford-Robinson
19 Michael Paterson
20 Mitch Eadie
21 Cobus Reinach
22 James Grayson
23 Nafi Tuitavake

 

15 Isaiah Toeava
14 Nick Abendanon
13 Peter Betham
12 Rémi Lamerat
11 Remi Grosso
10 Luke McAlister
9 Morgan Parra (capt) 

1 Etienne Falgoux
2 Benjamin Kayser
3 Rabah Slimani
4 Flip Van Der Merwe
5 Sébastien Vahaamahina
6 Damien Chouly
7 Alexandre Lapandry
8 Fritz Lee

Replacements:
16 Yohan Beheregaray
17 Raphael Chaume
18 Davit Zirakashvili
19 Paul Jedrasiak
20 Art hur Iturria
21 Charly Trussardi
22 Scott Spedding
23 Viktor Kolelishvili

Injury update:
Tom Collins (foot), Alex Waller (arm), Jamie Elliott (hamstring), Rory Hutchinson (back), George North (knee), Piers Francis (concussion), Stephen Myler (ribs), and Luther Burrell (calf) are unavailable for selection.

Visit the Saints Store
Visit the Saints Store
Match tickets on sale now!
Match tickets on sale now!
23/24 Rugby Camps
23/24 Rugby Camps