Head coach Will Parkin says Northampton Saints’ Under-18s side are relishing the chance to take to the hallowed turf of cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens this weekend.
Saints play their last home match of the season against Midlands Central Academy on Saturday, kicking-off at 3.30pm on the ground’s main pitch after the first team face Stade Rochelais in the Heineken Champions Cup.
Northampton sit top of the Northern Conference as they head into the clash, and after last weekend’s romping 44-0 win over Midlands West Academy, Parkin’s side are aiming to stay unbeaten in 2023 and remain at the league’s summit heading into the last round of fixtures before Finals Day.
“Last weekend’s game was a tough one in terms of conditions, with the wind and rain, but the team showed a lot of maturity and composure to stick to our game in the right areas without losing the ambition to put our own DNA onto the pitch,” said Parkin.
“The boys set themselves a target this season of being the top try-scoring team across both the Conferences, so to score seven unanswered tries last weekend was an excellent way to get one step closer to that.
“The big thing for us is that though last season we were top of the points-scoring table, we were also bottom of the points conceded. And we’ve put a big emphasis on our defence again this season so to not concede any points against Midlands West is a massive credit to the boys.”
Saints made it all the way to last season’s Final, topping their Conference after winning four of their regular season clashes; and with three wins already under their belt this season, Northampton take to the main pitch on Saturday aiming for their third back-to-back win in 2023.
“The lads are buzzing to get onto the main pitch this weekend, it’s a huge opportunity for them,” Parkin added.
“There’s still plenty of work to be done in these last two games; we might sit top of the table but we’re only one league point ahead of Leicester Tigers going into this weekend and it’s all still to play for.
“We want to finish this run of home games on a high and to get the chance to do that in front of a large crowd is something the team is relishing.”
Will Parkin, U18s Head Coach
“Ultimately though, the Academy programme is all about developing the players rather than where we finish in the league. I have no doubt the boys will have a want to win and do well, but this is another opportunity for them to develop as players on the pitch and also an opportunity to develop by experiencing what it is like to run out at one of the best sporting grounds in the country.”
And as the young Saints face the RFU’s Midlands Central Academy – formerly Wasps’ Academy set-up after the Premiership club went into administration – this weekend, Parkin makes two changes to the side that defeated Midlands West a week ago.
Prop Dave Bennett returns to the starting line-up on Saturday, while Ashton Webb starts in Saints’ engine room as the only other change that defeated Midlands West.
Stick in your seat after Saints vs Stade Rochelais to catch the Academy action as Northampton Under-18s take to the main pitch for a 3.30pm kick-off. Please note, entry to the match is available only to Saints vs Stade Rochelais ticket holders – tickets are on sale from just £22 adult / £8 child* HERE.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS U18s vs MIDLANDS CENTRAL ACADEMY
Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League
Saturday 21 January, 2023
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3.30pm
15 Ewan Baker
14 Ben Radnor
13 Harry Simpson
12 Ollie Saddleton
11 Toby Cousins
10 Rory Hollis
9 Archie McParland
1 Lucas Nisbett-Hadaway
2 Sol Moody
3 Dave Bennett
4 Aiden Kabi
5 Ashton Webb
6 Mart van der Veen
7 Henry Pollock (c)
8 Henri Burditt
Replacements:
16 Yujian Zou
17 Oliver Scola
18 Tom Dye
19 Kieran Perkins
20 Robert Gaffan
21 Billy Pasco
22 Jacob Willmott
23 Logan McCabe
Next Home Match
* All ticket prices are subject to a £1.50 booking fee.