Northampton Saints return to PREM Next Gen Academy League action this weekend against Harlequins, with head coach Charlie Reed making three changes to his starting line-up.
Finlay Shields – who was a try scorer in last weekend’s friendly loss to Saracens – comes in at inside centre for Saturday’s encounter at Gordon’s School (kick-off: 2.30pm), with Jack Woods also featuring at scrum-half.
The only change to the forward pack that ran out against Newcastle Red Bulls in Round 5 – a match Saints lost 38-24 – is at blindside flanker with Archie McHarg wearing the number six shirt.
Saints, who are captained by fly-half Sonny Goode, enter the match two places and three points behind second-placed Quins, who have played a game more.
“This is an exciting challenge for the boys to head to London and go up against an in-form Harlequins side,” said Reed.
“While we didn’t get the result we were hoping for against Saracens, it was a great exercise for us to rotate the squad and take a look at some other players and that will hopefully serve us well as we return to league action.”
Supporters can watch all the action live from Gordon's School via the Harlequins TikTok channel or by downloading the Harlequins App. Information on how to log in and view for free on the Harlequins App can be found HERE.
Harlequins U18s vs Northampton Saints U18s
PREM Next Gen Academy League, Round 6
Saturday 31 January, 2026
Kick-off: 2.30pm
15 Hardy Linnell
14 Elijah Jeyes
13 Will Catley
12 Finlay Shields
11 Charlie Tamani
10 Sonny Goode (c)
9 Jack Woods
1 Lucas Veevers
2 Ferdi Barnett-Vincent
3 Aiden Reid
4 Rafferty Hewitt
5 George Tonga’uiha
6 Archie McHarg
7 Will Hepher
8 Charlie Hammick
Replacements:
16 Kingsley Gallimore
17 Toby Seaman
18 Ben Jones
19 Ted Warner
20 Callum Tarry
22 Wiliam Howes
23 Finn Westley
Immediately following the U18s fixture, the U17s will play in a friendly against Harlequins with a 4:30pm kick-off.
Harlequins U17s vs Northampton Saints U17s
Friendly
Saturday 31 January, 2026
Kick-off: 4:30pm
SAINTS U17s: 15 Benjamin Bullen, 14 Jeremiah German, 13 Harvey Fisher, 12 Joshua Miller, 11 Alfred Tedbury, 10 Kai Manson, 9 Massimo Rapps; 1 Dylan Hooper, 2 James Slater, 3 Oliver Surley, 4 William Higgins, 5 Will Hart, 6 Oscar Wells, 7 Jordan Johnson, 8 Harry Nath.
Replacements: 16 Elliott Marsh, 17 George Glenn, 18 Louis Agostini, 19 Toby Price, 20 Jack Potter, 21 George Grewcock, 22 Harry Carter, 23 Charlie King, 24 Benji Patterson.