SAINTS NAME SIDE TO TAKE ON FRENCH CHAMPIONS FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018
Tom Stephenson, Kieran Brookes and Christian Day have all come into Northampton Saints’ starting line-up to take on Clermont Auvergne in the European Champions Cup.
Technical coaching consultant Alan Gaffney and interim head coach Alan Dickens have made three changes to the side that began last week’s triumph over Gloucester, as the Saints take on the Top 14 Champions at Franklin’s Gardens, kick-off 5.30pm.
Northampton opened up 2018 in style against the Cherry & Whites, scoring a last-minute penalty try to win 22-19 and end a run of frustrating results in the Aviva Premiership – and will now smell blood with nothing to lose in the competition against Clermont.
The only change to the back-line is caused by the ankle injury that saw Luther Burrell hobble off against Gloucester.
Stephenson comes in to replace him in the midfield after a tenacious showing off the bench last weekend, and the inside centre will celebrate his 50th appearance in the Black, Green and Gold.
Nic Groom and Harry Mallinder will continue to build their half-back partnership, with Ahsee Tuala staying at full-back and Ken Pisi – who scored on his return to the side against Gloucester – and Ben Foden remaining on the wings.
Brookes also continues his comeback from a hand injury with his first start since November, joining skipper Dylan Hartley and Campese Ma’afu in the front row.
And with Day coming into the second row alongside Api Ratuniyarawa, Courtney Lawes shifts to blindside flanker.
For more news, tickets and comment head over T'Offy
SAINTS V CLERMONT TEAM NEWS European Champions Cup, Round 5 Franklin’s Gardens Saturday 13 January, 2018 Kick-off: 5.30pm
SAINTS 15 Ahsee Tuala 14 Ken Pisi 13 Rob Horne 12 Tom Stephenson 11 Ben Foden 10 Harry Mallinder 9 Nic Groom
1 Campese Ma’afu 2 Dylan Hartley (capt) 3 Kieran Brookes 4 Api Ratuniyarawa 5 Christian Day 6 Courtney Lawes 7 Tom Wood 8 Teimana Harrison
Replacements: 16 Mikey Haywood 17 Francois van Wyk 18 Jamal Ford-Robinson 19 Michael Paterson 20 Mitch Eadie 21 Cobus Reinach 22 James Grayson 23 Nafi Tuitavake
That’s really spooky! Just as the clock ticked round to noon and the much anticipated “Team’s Up’ post, the postman dropped a Toolstation catalogue though my letterbox!
Good team, Courts at 6 is a bit odd as Woody had a great game there last week.
I'm a little bit meh about this game tbh I'd rather see us stop Sarries getting out of the group next week to help the healing of having scored over 100 points against us in 2 games
Having seen the Clermont team (sorry doesnt copy and paste well from twitter) we are well in this. Slimani starts which we will have to take on the chin. Their bench doesn't look great up front, I fancy us last 20 mins.
A good home performance will help build momentum and confidence.
I appreciate that theoretically the result is irrelevant but for me performance and momentum are crucial.
A spanking will set us back in progressing in the Premiership even if we have no remaining chance of qualifying in Europe.
Whilst a good showing (even if it's not a win will help belief inside the squad, relieve pressure on the coaches and send a message to future opponents.
HungryLikeTheWolf Picked a big pack to try and negate their perceived dominance.
I worry about Brookes, I worry that my tv may be out in the drive if the usual belly flop happens.
Great to see Stephenson in, has all that is required to be a great player.
Can't be there but COYS
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