Scrum-half Tom James will lead out Northampton Saints for the first time on Tuesday evening, as the men in Black, Green and Gold face Harlequins on home soil.
The Londoners head to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens for the Pool C clash, with the race for the semi-finals of the competition heating up. Saints, London Irish and Quins are all still in the running to progress to the knock-out stage via winning the group, or qualifying as the best-placed runner-up.
James will captain Northampton and leads out a largely youthful line-up which is laced with some experienced heads in key positions. James Grayson starts at fly-half for the hosts with younger brother Ethan coming into the centres to partner Tom Litchfield.
James Ramm and Tom Collins line-up on the wings in a box-office back three which also includes England Under-20s fullback George Hendy – who makes his first Northampton start of the season.
Up front, tighthead prop Ed Prowse also is selected in the starting XV for the first time this term, with Senior Academy player Aston Gradwick-Light continuing at hooker and Oisín Heffernan lining up in the loosehead berth.
Brandon Nansen and Tom Lockett keep their places in Saints’ engine room for the third week running, while Kayde Sylvester is joined by Angus Scott-Young and Geordie Irvine in the back row.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs HARLEQUINS
Premiership Rugby Cup, Round 3
Tuesday 11 October 2022
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 7.45pm
15 George Hendy
14 Tom Collins
13 Tom Litchfield
12 Ethan Grayson
11 James Ramm
10 James Grayson
9 Tom James (c)
1 Oisín Heffernan
2 Aston Gradwick-Light
3 Ed Prowse
4 Brandon Nansen
5 Tom Lockett
6 Kayde Sylvester
7 Angus Scott-Young
8 Geordie Irvine
Replacements:
16 Isaac Bell
17 Marty Mulhall
18 Ehren Painter
19 Emeka Atuanya
20 George Patten
21 Jake Garside
22 Joel Matavesi
23 Archie Kean
Referee: Harry Walbaum
Assistant Referees: Alex Thomas and Darryl Chapman
No.4: Dean Richards
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