Northampton Saints take on the world’s most famous invitational side, Barbarian F.C., this weekend, with Director of Rugby Phil Dowson naming a 28-man squad for the clash.
The men in Black, Green and Gold take to the hallowed turf at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday (2 September, kick-off: 2pm), welcoming the Baabaas for the second time in successive seasons.
Saints ran out 45-39 winners on a memorable afternoon when the sides met for the first time ever back in November 2022 and will be hoping for more of the same when they welcome the star-studded Barbarians side on Saturday.
Tom Cruse will captain the side from hooker for the second week running, with Alex Waller and Paul Hill packing down alongside him in the front row for their first run outs of the season.
Guest player Theo Vukasinovic (formerly of Wasps and Doncaster Knights) joins Geordie Irvine in Saints’ engine room, while Angus Scott-Young shifts back into Northampton’s back row to join 18-year-old flanker Henry Pollock and Izaiha Moore-Aiono (formerly of London Irish) who guests at No.8.
Italy international Callum Braley will make his first appearance of the season alongside James Grayson in Saints’ half-back berths, with Tom Litchfield and Tom Seabrook manning the centres outside them.
Meanwhile Will Glister and Jake Garside are named on Saints’ wings, with George Hendy rounding off the starting line-up at fullback.
Saints name an extended bench to face the Baabaas, with the likes of Elliot Millar Mills, Kayde Sylvester, Archie McParland and Toby Thame set to enter the action from amongst the replacements – while loanees James Cherry (Nottingham Rugby), Callum Smyth, Henri Lavin and Oscar Daniel (all Loughborough University) will also guest from the bench.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs BARBARIAN F.C.
Saturday 2 September, 2023
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 2pm
15 George Hendy
14 Will Glister
13 Tom Seabrook
12 Tom Litchfield
11 Jake Garside
10 James Grayson
9 Callum Braley
1 Alex Waller
2 Tom Cruse (c)
3 Paul Hill
4 Theo Vukasinovic*
5 Geordie Irvine
6 Angus Scott-Young
7 Henry Pollock
8 Izaiha Moore-Aiono*
Replacements:
Aston Gradwick-Light
Craig Wright
Elliot Millar Mills
Calum Smyth*
Ed Prowse
Kayde Sylvester
Reuben Logan
James Cherry*
Henri Lavin*
Archie McParland
Matthew Arden
Toby Thame
Oscar Daniel*
Ewan Baker
*Denotes guest/loan player
Referee: Ian Tempest
Assistant referees: Harry Walbaum and Jonathan Healy
No.4: James Pidding
