Phil Dowson has named his Northampton Saints team for their last outing at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens this term, as the men in Black, Green and Gold welcome Saracens in the penultimate round of the Gallagher Premiership.
Saints have beaten Saracens on their last four visits to Northampton, and while the hosts’ play-off hopes cannot be realised this term, Dowson’s side will be looking to end their home season on a high note and thoroughly prepare for next week’s Investec Champions Cup Final in Cardiff.
Saints make 13 changes for the Round 17 clash, with only Tom Lockett and Tom Litchfield remaining from the side that were defeated by Exeter Chiefs last time out.
Fraser Dingwall returns to captain Saints against Saracens, joining Rory Hutchinson in the midfield on Saturday.
Outside them, winger Litchfield is joined in Saints’ back three by fullback James Ramm and Tommy Freeman – who was one of four Northampton players to be named in the 2025 British and Irish Lions squad last week.
Two other names to be read out as part of the Lions squad announcement start in Saints’ half-backs – with Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith featuring against Saracens at scrum-half and fly-half respectively.
Emmanuel Iyogun, Curtis Langdon and Trevor Davison – who brings up at half century of appearances in Black, Green and Gold this week – come back into the starting line-up to form Saints’ front row, while Temo Mayanavanua and Lockett partner in the engine room behind them.
Alex Coles shifts into the back row, joining this season’s Coaches’ and Players’ Player of the Season Josh Kemeny and Saints’ fourth Lions tourist Henry Pollock – who himself claimed the gongs for Breakthrough Player, Young Player and Try of the Season at the Club’s Season Awards Dinner earlier this week.
Saints name a five-three bench for the clash with Saracens, with the likes of Tarek Haffar, Elliot Millar Mills, Ed Prowse, Jonny Weimann and Tom Seabrook set to enter the action on Saturday.
While the match is approaching yet another sell-out attendance, a limited number of single seats are still available for the special price of just £55* (unless otherwise advertised for less) – please CLICK HERE to purchase.
Following Saturday’s match, the Club will invite our loyal supporters onto the hallowed cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens turf to celebrate the squad’s accomplishments this season, and also toast the players who are moving on to pastures new next term. For full details of the post-match presentation, please CLICK HERE.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs SARACENS
Gallagher Premiership, Round 17
Saturday 17 May, 2025
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3.05pm
15 James Ramm
14 Tommy Freeman
13 Fraser Dingwall (c)
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Tom Litchfield
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Emmanuel Iyogun
2 Curtis Langdon
3 Trevor Davison – 50th Saints appearance
4 Temo Mayanavanua
5 Tom Lockett
6 Alex Coles
7 Josh Kemeny
8 Henry Pollock
Replacements:
16 Craig Wright
17 Tarek Haffar
18 Elliot Millar Mills
19 Ed Prowse
20 Angus Scott-Young
21 Jonny Weimann
22 Jake Garside
23 Tom Seabrook
Not available for selection:
Juarno Augustus, George Furbank, Sam Graham, George Hendy, George Makepeace-Cubitt, Archie McParland, Burger Odendaal, Tom Pearson, Toby Thame, Charlie Savala, Ollie Sleightholme, Robbie Smith and Tom West.
SARACENS TEAM TO FACE SAINTS:
15 Alex Goode, 14 Tobias Elliott, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rotimi Segun, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Ivan van Zyl; 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Jamie George, 3 Marco Riccioni, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 5 Nick Isiekwe, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Ben Earl, 8 Tom Willis.
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Phil Brantingham, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Hugh Tizard, 20 Theo McFarland, 21 Andy Onyeama-Christie, 22 Charlie Bracken, 23 Angus Hall.
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant referees: George Selwood and Simon Harding
TMO: Dean Richards
No.4: James Clarke
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* All match ticket prices are subject to a £1.50 booking fee
