Academy coach Will Parkin has made just two changes to his unbeaten Northampton Saints Under-18s side ahead of a trip to Sale Sharks this Sunday (9 January, kick-off: 2pm).
One of three sides in the Premiership Rugby Under-18 Academy League’s Northern Conference without a loss this term, Saints begin 2022 away from home as they travel to Heywood Road to lock horns with undefeated Sale.
And after posting a 36-19 win over Yorkshire Carnegie over the festive period, Saints are completely unchanged in the backs; Frankie Sleightholme, Ethan Thorne and Jody Devine form Northampton’s back three, with Archie Kean and Toby Cousins remaining in the centres, and Toby Thame and Harry Hall continue in the half-back berths.
Callum Smyth and Nicholas Tarr retains their spots at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively and are joined by incoming hooker Will Baker to complete the front row.
James Bennett returns to Saints’ side to start alongside Carn Richards-Farr in the engine room, while George Lavender, Ted Reid and skipper George Patten round off the pack in the back row.
Meanwhile Kieran Gilmour is set to make his first appearance of the season from the bench, while Henry Pollock will make his debut at Under-18 level should he enter the action at Heywood Road.
SALE SHARKS U18s vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS U18s
Premiership Rugby Under-18 Academy League
Sunday 9 January 2022
Heywood Road
Kick-off: 2pm
15 Jody Devine
14 Ethan Thorne
13 Toby Cousins
12 Archie Kean
11 Frankie Sleightholme
10 Toby Thame
9 Harry Hall
1 Callum Smyth
2 Will Baker
3 Nicholas Tarr
4 Carn Richards-Farr
5 James Bennett
6 George Lavender
7 Ted Reid
8 George Patten (c)
Replacements:
16 Yuijan Zou
17 Sam Ferrari
18 Dave Bennett
19 Aiden Kabi
20 Henry Pollock
21 Kieran Gilmour
22 Tommy Taylor
23 Ewan Baker
