Northampton Saints have named their team for the final round of Premiership Rugby Under-18 Academy League action against Newcastle Falcons this weekend.
Charlie Reed’s side know victory in Saturday’s clash at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens (kick-off: 4.15pm) will see them top the Northern Conference table and progress to Finals Day on Sunday 18 February, with a shot at the big prize for a third successive year.
Outside centre Henry Lumley and tighthead prop Sonny Tonga’uhia have been promoted from their roles as replacements in the 43-41 victory over Midlands Central last time out.
Hooker Rob Gaffan and openside flanker Rhys Harries come into the starting line-up while Ben Agbenu switches from midfield to the right wing and Kieran Perkins moves across the back row to the blindside flank.
Prop Tom Dye, scrum-half Jonny Weimann and winger Rafe Witheat will all run out from the start at the Gardens after recently being called up to the England U18 camp to be held at the end of February.
The Under-18s set the tone for a dramatic Saints Saturday as they secured an epic late win over Midlands Central.
— Saints Rugby Academy (@SaintsRugbyAcad) January 23, 2024
🟠 41 - 43 😇https://t.co/XAYJ66cHna pic.twitter.com/JIgeneV3OT
Aiden Ainsworth-Cave is primed to make his comeback after a lengthy injury as a replacement, while Mark Miska Alvarez is in line to make his Academy League debut when called upon to enter proceedings from the bench on Saturday.
Reed said: “We are very much focused on going after a better performance to build on from our last match. All we have spoke about this week is creating a fantastic memory but having the pleasure to play at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, we want to enjoy the occasion as much as possible.”
The Academy match is part two of a Double Header of fixtures on Saturday, following on from Loughborough Lightning’s Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby match against East Midlands rivals, Leicester Tigers (kick-off: 2pm).
Tickets to gain entry to both games are AVAILABLE HERE for just £7.50 (Adult) and (£3 Child). All tickets are subject to a £1.50 booking fee.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS U18 vs NEWCASTLE FALCONS U18
Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League, Round 6
Saturday 10 February
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 4.15pm
15 Edoardo Todaro
14 Ben Agbenu
13 Henry Lumley
12 Billy Pasco (c)
11 Rafe Witheat
10 Louis Haley
9 Jonny Weimann
1 Tom Dye
2 Rob Gaffan
3 Sonny Tonga’uhia
4 Tom Ross
5 Ollie Hull
6 Kieran Perkins
7 Rhys Harries
8 Alfie Hoyles
Replacments:
16 Ed Delaney
17 Réon Gilbert-Joseph
18 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave
19 Mark Miska Alvarez
20 Ben Currie
21 Tom Addison
22 Louis Burns
