Director of rugby Chris Boyd has named a 33-man squad ahead of Thursday evening’s friendly with Leinster Rugby (kick-off 7.30pm).
Club co-captain Alex Waller will lead the side out at Franklin’s Gardens for the first time this season, with Boyd naming a large squad ahead of the opening clash despite being without the seven Saints players preparing to battle it out for the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Captaining from the front row Waller is joined by James Fish and Paul Hill, while Devante Onojaife and David Ribbans pack down in the engine room.
Ollie Newman will pull on Black, Green and Gold for the first time as he lines up alongside experienced duo Tom Wood and Mitch Eadie in the back row, while a new half-back pairing of the incoming James Mitchell and James Grayson will try to control the game from the centre of the park.
Fresh from making his international debut over the summer, Rory Hutchinson returns to Northampton to start alongside Fraser Strachan in the centres, with Tom Collins, Ollie Sleightholme and new Saint Ryan Olowofela completing the back three.
Seven further players are also set to don a Saints shirt for the first time from the bench, with Boyd expected to ring the changes throughout the game and give supporters a good look at his newest recruits.
Tickets are still available for Northampton Saints’ preseason clash at Franklin’s Gardens on Thursday 12 September.
To book your place now, please CLICK HERE, but 2019/20 Season Ticket Holders can enjoy FREE entry with their season passes.
Please note seating is UNRESERVED in the Barwell, Carlsberg and South Stands for both Saints v Leinster and the Premiership Rugby 7s, so Season Ticket Holders may be unable to sit in their usual seats.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS v LEINSTER RUGBY
Preseason Friendly
Thursday 12 September, 2019
Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 7.30pm
15 Tom Collins
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Rory Hutchinson
12 Fraser Strachan
11 Ryan Olowofela
10 James Grayson
9 James Mitchell
1 Alex Waller (capt)
2 James Fish
3 Paul Hill
4 Devante Onojaife
5 David Ribbans
6 Tom Wood
7 Ollie Newman
8 Mitch Eadie
Replacements:
Michael Van Vuuren, Will Davis, Ben Franks, Karl Garside, Ehren Painter, Lewis Bean, Alex Coles, Teimana Harrison, JJ Tonks, Tui Uru, Henry Taylor, Connor Tupai, Tommy Mathews, Reuben Bird-Tulloch, Fraser Dingwall, Tommy Freeman, Josh Gillespie, Taqele Naiyaravoro
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