Northampton Wanderers coaches Mark Hopley and Simon Sinclair have made three changes to their side that will welcome Sale Jets to Franklin’s Gardens this afternoon (kick-off 1pm)
Following a resounding 50-7 win over Worcester Cavaliers last Monday evening, the Wandies sit third in the Northern Conference of the competition.
Another win over bottom-side Sale could propel Northampton – two-time defending champions – into the top two with four pool matches still to play.
After a second-half hat-trick against Cavaliers, Matt Worley starts on the wing and joins Ollie Sleightholme and fullback George Furbank in the back three.
Rory Hutchinson and Fraser Dingwall are selected again in midfield, while James Grayson and Charlie Davies also continue in the half-back berths.
There are two further changes in the pack; James Fish comes in at hooker and Paddy Ryan starts at openside flanker after coming off the bench last Monday.
Will Davis and Ehren Painter pack down either side of Fish in the front row, with Devante Onojaife and Mitch Eadie at the base of the scrum beside Ryan.
The second row is unchanged, so Alex Moon and Alex Coles will provide the grunt once again, while amongst the replacements there is room for guest players Freddie Betteridge and Alex Gilham.
Gates to Franklin’s Gardens open at 12pm with kick-off scheduled for 1pm. The game is free to watch for Season Ticket Holders; or £5 for adults and £2 for under-16s.
NORTHAMPTON WANDERERS v SALE JETS
Premiership Rugby Shield, Round Six
Sunday 23 December, 2018
Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 1pm
15 George Furbank
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Fraser Dingwall
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Matt Worley
10 James Grayson
9 Charlie Davies
1 Will Davis
2 James Fish
3 Ehren Painter
4 Alex Moon
5 Alex Coles
6 Devante Onojaife
7 Paddy Ryan
8 Mitch Eadie
Replacements:
16 Samson Ma’asi
17 Toby Trinder
18 Jamel Ford-Robinson
19 Freddie Betteridge*
20 Joe Wallace
21 Connor Tupai
22 Fraser Strachan
23 Alex Gilham*
* Guest player
