Ben Foden to lead out Saints for 250th and final appearance

Northampton Saints legend Ben Foden will lead out the side on his 250^th and final appearance for the Club on Saturday afternoon.

The 32-year-old is one of a host of Saints stalwarts that will be pulling on the Black, Green and Gold jersey for the final time as Northampton host Worcester Warriors at Franklin’s Gardens.

Final league positions will be on the line so Saints – who have beaten Warriors on three of the previous four meetings between the sides – have plenty of pride at stake in front of what will be a bumper Gardens crowd.

Interim head coach Alan Dickens and technical coaching consultant Alan Gaffney have made four changes from the side that ran Aviva Premiership semi-finalists Wasps so close last time out.

Foden skippers the team at fullback after shifting from the wing, with Tom Collins brought into the Saints’ starting XV for the first time since January to make his 50^th appearance for the Club.

George North remains on the other wing, but there are two further changes to Northampton’s back line as Nafi Tuitavake and James Grayson both start at outside centre and fly-half respectively.

But in the pack there is only one change; Kieran Brookes makes his final appearance for the Club at tighthead prop, packing down with Alex Waller and Mikey Haywood in the front row.

Stephen Myler, Campese Ma’afu and Charlie Clare will all also run out at Franklin’s Gardens for the final time in a Saints jersey, and will look to make an impact off the bench alongside the likes of Ahsee Tuala, Alex Mitchell, and David Ribbans – who returns from injury to join the replacements.

“I’ve seen these players as both a teammate and a coach and they’ve served Saints brilliantly in what is probably the most successful period in the history of the Club,” said Dickens.

“The motivation to send the guys out on a high note has to come from within the players and we’ve spoken about that this week – hopefully we put on a performance to match the occasion.”

Tickets for Saints' final clash of the season against Worcester Warriors are still available from the ticket office at Franklin’s Gardens, online by CLICKING HERE or by calling the Saints Ticket Office on 01604 581000. Prices start at £36 for adults and £16 for juniors.

After the game players will be honoured with a lap around the stadium before supporters are welcomed onto the pitch for the annual presentation of shirts to our departing players.

SAINTS v WORCESTER WARRIORS
Aviva Premiership Rugby, Round 22
Saturday 5^th May, 2018
Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 4pm 

Injury update:
Tom Wood, Courtney Lawes, Dylan Hartley, Harry Mallinder, Christian Day, Reece Marshall, Heinrich Brüssow and Luther Burrell are all unavailable for selection.