Northampton Saints Under-18s will play their first match of 2023 this weekend, as they host Sale Sharks at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday.
The game – taking place on Pitch 2 at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens ahead of Loughborough Lightning’s clash with Wasps inside the stadium – kicks-off at 1pm on Sunday (8 January) is free to attend for all supporters, though parking (in Car Parks A, B and C, NN5 5AX) will be charged at £3 per car via contactless payment on the gate.
Last taking to the field in the Premiership Rugby Under-18 Academy League back in August, Saints sit in third place in the Northern Conference – after narrowly falling to Leicester Tigers on opening day, before posting an emphatic 52-14 win at Yorkshire Rugby ahead of the break.
And now the season gets back underway in earnest for Will Parkin’s side with three back-to-back home clashes in January, beginning with this weekend’s opponents Sale.
Last season’s trip to Heywood Road to face Sharks proved fruitless for the young Saints but with England Under-18s internationals Henry Pollock and Archie McParland two of six changes to the side that defeated Yorkshire, Parkin believes his side are ready to kick on in 2023.
“We’re really looking forward to getting back to it this weekend,” he said. “It’s been a long break since those games back in August, but it’s been a really productive one and I know the lads are all chomping at the bit.
“It’s great to welcome Henry and Archie back into the side, as well as a few other faces, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they contribute to the team.
“Those early games have given us a lot to look at and work on now we’re back in as a squad; we need to hit the ground running against Sale first up and keep that momentum going as we carry on into 2023.
“Facing Sharks is always a big ask, we’ve not managed a win against them on home soil for a few seasons and this will be another tough match but I’m excited to see what the team can produce.”
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS U18s vs SALE SHARKS U18s
Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League
Sunday 8 January, 2023
Pitch 2, cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 1pm
15 Ewan Baker
14 Ben Radnor
13 Harry Simpson
12 Ollie Saddleton
11 Jacob Willmott
10 Max Allman-Ward
9 Archie McParland
1 Lucas Nisbett-Hadaway
2 Sol Moody
3 William Lamprell
4 Ashton Webb
5 Henri Burditt
6 Aiden Kabi
7 Henry Pollock (c)
8 Ollie Holliday
Replacements:
16 Yujian Zou
17 Oliver Scola
18 Dave Bennett
19 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave
20 Mart van der Veen
21 Rory Hollis
22 Billy Pasco
23 Logan McCabe
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