Northampton Saints return to PREM Rugby Cup action this weekend, as Leicester Tigers make the trip to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday (31 January, kick-off: 3.05pm).
Saturday’s match marks Round 6 in the competition and the second meeting between the sides at cinch Stadium this term – with the men in Black, Green and Gold having claimed a 32-26 win in the Gallagher PREM back in October.
Northampton re-enter the competition sitting fourth in the pool table, just a point behind second-placed Saracens, but with Tigers flying high at the top of Pool B, Saints know that victory on Saturday is vital to keep their play-off hopes alive.
Sam Graham takes on the captain’s duties against Leicester, leading Saints from No.8 while Archie Benson and Charlie Ulcoq join him in the back row as they start at blindside and openside flanker respectively – with the latter set to become Saint #2125 as he debuts on Saturday.
Ed Prowse, fresh from signing a new deal with the Club, packs down with Saints half-centurion Tom Lockett in the engine room, while props Oliver Scola and Cleopas Kundiona join hooker Henry Walker to make up the front row.
Archie McParland makes his sixth start of the season against Tigers, as the scrum-half runs out alongside 19-year-old James Pater in the half-back berths – with the versatile back making his sixth Saints appearance, and his first in the No.10 jersey.
Billy Pasco makes his second appearance for Northampton this term as he partners Toby Thame in the midfield against Leicester. And Saints opt for speed in the back three, with flying wingers Amena Caqusau and Ollie Sleightholme named there alongside fullback James Martin to round off the starting XV.
There are two potential debuts among Northampton’s replacements, with centre Freddie St John preparing to make his maiden appearance in Black, Green and Gold, and former Ireland Under-20s back row Jack Kelleher – who joins Saints as a guest player this weekend – named on the bench.
Saints also name plenty of experience alongside those debutants, with the likes of Luke Green, Chunya Munga, Tom James and James Ramm also set to enter the action against Tigers.
This match is completely SOLD OUT! Saints vs Tigers is included in 2025/26 Season Ticket and Half Season Ticket packages, with supporters able to access the match with their Season Ticket cards.
There may be a limited number of re-sale tickets available, sold by Season Ticket Holders unable to attend the Cup clash. Please note, these are only available to purchase online and can be accessed HERE.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs LEICESTER TIGERS
PREM Rugby Cup, Round 6
Saturday 31 January, 2026
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3.05pm
15 James Martin
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Billy Pasco
12 Toby Thame
11 Amena Caqusau
10 James Pater
9 Archie McParland
1 Oliver Scola
2 Henry Walker
3 Cleopas Kundiona
4 Ed Prowse
5 Tom Lockett
6 Archie Benson
7 Charlie Ulcoq – Saint #2125
8 Sam Graham (c)
Replacements:
16 Marco Manfredi
17 Luke Green
18 Sonny Tonga’uiha
19 Chunya Munga
20 Jack Kelleher – Guest player, Northampton Saints debut
21 Tom James
22 Freddie St John – Northampton Saints debut
23 James Ramm
Not considered for selection:
Emeka Atuanya, Anthony Belleau, Will Glister, Curtis Langdon, Tom Litchfield, Henry Lumley and Tom West.
International duty:
Alex Coles, Fraser Dingwall, Trevor Davison, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Emmanuel Iyogun, Alex Mitchell, Henry Pollock and Fin Smith (all England), Rory Hutchinson and Elliot Millar Mills (both Scotland), Danilo Fischetti and Edoardo Todaro (both Italy).
TIGERS TEAM TO FACE SAINTS:
15 Orlando Bailey, 14 George Pearson, 13 Izaia Perese, 12 Joseph Woodward, 11 Ryan Crowley, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Ollie Allan; 1 Archie Van Der Flier, 2 Finn Theobold-Thomas, 3 Will Hurd, 4 Harry Wells, 5 Tom Manz, 6 Harry Palmer, 7 Sam Williams, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (c).
Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Ale Loman, 19 Josh Manz, 20 George Marsh, 21 Charlie Bemand, 22 Wilf McCarthy, 23 Kesena Izu.
Referee: George Selwood
Assistant referee: Alex Thomas and Matt Sharpe
TMO: Peter Allan
No.4: Charlie Gayther