Northampton Wanderers coaches Mark Hopley and Simon Sinclair have named their side to take on Worcester Cavaliers at Franklin’s Gardens this evening (kick-off 7.30pm).
In only their second home clash of the Premiership Rugby Shield campaign so far, the two-time reigning champions sit third in the Northern Conference and will be looking to close the gap to the sides above them in the standings.
Here are your Wandies...
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) December 17, 2018
After a false start in Romania, the bulk of the Timisoara 23 will see game time at the Gardens
Free entry for all STH or £5/2 on the gate pic.twitter.com/ntTS1fjqMz
With Saturday’s European Challenge Cup clash in Timisoara cancelled due to heavy snowfall, Northampton are taking the opportunity to give some returning players some crucial game time – wing Tom Collins, flanker Heinrich Brüssow, prop Ehren Painter and centre Rory Hutchinson are all included after recovering from injury in recent weeks.
George Furbank is also back in Black, Green and Gold after fulfilling the return-to-play criteria, and Ollie Sleightholme completes the back three.
Fraser Dingwall partners Hutchinson in the midfield, while Charlie Davies provides some experience for a youthful back-line alongside James Grayson in the half-back positions.
Brüssow is joined by Devante Onojaife and No.8 Mitch Eadie in the back row, while Alex Moon and Alex Coles make up the Wanderers’ engine room.
Reece Marshall will lead out the side at hooker, and packs down alongside Painter and Will Davis in the front row.
Meanwhile there is room amongst the replacements for prop Jamal Ford-Robinson, who is in line for his first appearance after a long injury lay-off, and Moseley’s Lewis Bean is named as a guest player.
NORTHAMPTON WANDERERS v WORCESTER CAVALIERS
Premiership Rugby Shield, Round Five
Monday 17 December, 2018
Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 7.30pm
15 George Furbank
14 Tom Collins
13 Fraser Dingwall
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Ollie Sleightholme
10 James Grayson
9 Charlie Davies
1 Will Davis
2 Reece Marshall (c)
3 Ehren Painter
4 Alex Moon
5 Alex Coles
6 Devante Onojaife
7 Heinrich Brüssow
8 Mitch Eadie
Replacements
16 Samson Ma’asi
17 Toby Trinder
18 Jamal Ford-Robinson
19 Lewis Bean*
20 Paddy Ryan
21 Connor Tupai
22 Fraser Strachan
23 Matt Worley
* Guest player
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