Quantcast

Teams UP: EPCR Saints v Clermont


Europe Time!

By Happywifehappylife
October 13 2018

Piers Francis, Tom Collins, and James Haskell have all been included in Chris Boyd’s starting line-up to face ASM Clermont Auvergne on Saturday, while lock Dom Barrow will make his Northampton Saints debut in Saturday’s European Challenge Cup curtain-raiser.

The men in Black, Green and Gold will bid for their third Challenge Cup title, having won the competition in 2009 and 2014 – the only two other seasons in which they have been involved.

A big test awaits Boyd’s men first up however, with Saturday’s opponents Clermont currently sitting at the summit of the Top14 standings in France after seven rounds across the Channel.

Saints welcomed the French giants to Franklin’s Gardens last season in the Champions Cup, and will hope to repeat the impressive 34-21 triumph they achieved back in January on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Director of rugby Boyd is able to welcome inside centre Francis back into the No.12 jersey after the 28-year-old successfully completed his return to play protocols this week.

Francis joins Andrew Kellaway in midfield, and despite the half-back axis of Dan Biggar and Cobus Reinach remaining unchanged, there are more adjustments in the back three with Collins regaining a starting berth.

Boyd sticks with the same front row that took to the field against Leicester Tigers last weekend, but Barrow will make his Club debut in the engine room after signing from Saints’ east-midlands rivals over the summer.

Haskell returns at flanker for the first time since mid-September to add some ballast to the back row, and there is room amongst the replacements for Academy lock Alex Moon – who will make his European debut should he enter the fray from the bench at Franklin’s Gardens.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE
EPCR Challenge Cup, Round One
Saturday 13th October, 2018
Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3pm

15 Harry Mallinder
14 Ahsee Tuala
13 Andrew Kellaway
12 Piers Francis
11 Tom Collins
10 Dan Biggar
9 Cobus Reinach

1 Alex Waller (co-captain)
2 Dylan Hartley (co-captain)
3 Ehren Painter
4 David Ribbans
5 Dom Barrow
6 James Haskell
7 Lewis Ludlam
8 Teimana Harrison

Replacements:
16 Mike Haywood
17 Francois Van Wyk
18 Ben Franks
19 Alex Moon
20 Jamie Gibson
21 Alex Mitchell
22 James Grayson
23 Luther Burrell

Taken from t'Offy

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

Teams UP: EPCR Saints v Clermont
Discussion started by Marching On , 13/10/2018 12:23
Marching On
13/10/2018 12:23
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

tedge
12/10/2018 11:38
Still severely hampered by injuries and Naiyaravoro out of the picture


15 Harry Mallinder
14 Ahsee Tuala
13 Andrew Kellaway
12 Piers Francis
11 Tom Collins
10 Dan Biggar
9 Cobus Reinach

1 Alex Waller (co-captain)
2 Dylan Hartley (co-captain)
3 Ehren Painter
4 David Ribbans
5 Dom Barrow
6 James Haskell
7 Lewis Ludlam
8 Teimana Harrison

Replacements:
16 Mike Haywood
17 Francois Van Wyk
18 Ben Franks
19 Alex Moon
20 Jamie Gibson
21 Alex Mitchell
22 James Grayson
23 Luther Burrell

Not available for selection:
Paul Hill (shoulder), Rory Hutchinson (knee), Toby Trinder (foot), Ken Pisi (shoulder), Heinrich Brüssow (concussion), Nafi Tuitavake (neck), Andy Symons (knee), Jamal Ford-Robinson (knee), Api Ratuniyarawa (ankle), Tom Emery (ankle) and Courtney Lawes (back)



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2018:10:12:11:40:27 by tedge.

Matthew
12/10/2018 11:42
Et l'equipe d'ASM:

http://www.asm-rugby.com/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/compo-site-northampton-2.jpg

Une image mais pas des mots!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:10:12:11:42:26 by Matthew.

SaintsEdward
12/10/2018 11:43
That's pretty much my pick of the back line, with big T off the bench to run at tired legs and bodies. Back row looks a heavy unit too with Hask in and great the see Francis back.

Would have expected to see more rotation at prop, 9 and 10. However, looking at the group I guess this is the game to win.

shendy
12/10/2018 11:45
Would this be Barrow's debut for us?

andysaint
12/10/2018 11:48
Very pleased to see Haskell and Barrow back in contention. Will add some much needed bite to the pack. Also pleased to see Craig not listed amongst the injuries, hopefully he can be back in contention soon.

A shame to see Eadie drop out of the picture IMO and also to see Waller to start again.

Save for one or two, the majority of the squad picks itself due to injuries.

They did say mid week they were preparing for a strong Clermont side. I do wonder that’s why we are not seeing Mitchell Grayson and Haywood in for starts yet. Perhaps that will change for Dragons.

tedge
12/10/2018 11:49
Quote:
shendy
Would this be Barrow's debut for us?

Yes

Wilson Pickett
12/10/2018 11:52
More grunt up front

Frogs don’t travel


But I fear Alex Waller will spend most of tomorrow looking at his own backside through his legs

Wilson Pickett
12/10/2018 11:52
Wrong thread



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:10:12:11:53:02 by Wilson Pickett.

brancastersaint
12/10/2018 11:52
good to see a bit more bulk up front, just hope Reinach's service is a bit quicker than last week as it seriously affected Dan's game, great to see Francis back
this would be a cracking game to win to set us on our way in Europe and put a bit more confidence in the whole squad

St Marcus
12/10/2018 11:54
Not looking forward to scrum time! About as strong as we can be given injuries. Looks like it should be dry tomorrow, so I hope we can move their big forwards around.

*f1*
12/10/2018 11:55
very unusual to see a French team in full strength for an away Challenge Cup match

Meiji Jingu
12/10/2018 11:59
Think that is 7 changes to the ASM side from the Toulon game. Both props, two of the back row, 9 and 10, and a winger. Still a strong outfit

manxsaint
12/10/2018 12:02
I thought I read on here earlier in the week someone predicting that Clermont might bring a weakened side?

Blimey! If that's weak- I'd hate to come up against their strongest side!

Meiji Jingu
12/10/2018 12:27
It could be considered weakened compared to the last few games in the Top 14 if you consider swapping Parra and Lopez for Laidlaw and Fernandez !! However, still a really strong side due to their strength in depth

Remy63
12/10/2018 12:39
Quote:
manxsaint
I thought I read on here earlier in the week someone predicting that Clermont might bring a weakened side?
Blimey! If that's weak- I'd hate to come up against their strongest side!

Well, It's missing Parra, Lopez, Raka and Fofana to be our strongest side. But Azema had clearly said that we would play this competition in order to win it.

Saint Stokey
12/10/2018 12:40
Not looking forward to the scrums. With the wet weather there will be a lot. Slimani is going to ruin Waller

Opinion8ed
12/10/2018 12:57
Where is Taqele? Not playing and not listed as injured. Surprised that he is not on the bench at least - a better finisher and cover option than Luther I would have thought (especially as Harry can cover centre).

TheGent
12/10/2018 13:31
Taqele is probably getting a rest whilst he gets up to fitness. He missed pre season so will need managing whilst he gets towards the weight the coaches want him to be.

Saint Robert
12/10/2018 13:37
Quote:
TheGent
Taqele is probably getting a rest whilst he gets up to fitness. He missed pre season so will need managing whilst he gets towards the weight the coaches want him to be.
He should be fresh as he hardly broke sweat last week.

Neil-H
12/10/2018 13:39
I doubt he is fresh, he played a whole season of Super rugby and came over after just a few weeks off, so maybe he is being rested and rotation being used?

Dave Jackson
12/10/2018 14:07
This really is a must win match. Start with a home loss and we are on the back foot straight away.

Need to make home advantage count

ramseysaint
12/10/2018 14:41
I don't have a clue about how player registration works, but given that Taquele didn't start playing for us for a few weeks could he be non registered for European matches? No doubt I'm wrong but like I said I don't know how the system works.

Abington Adam
12/10/2018 15:59
As he was under contract and just arrived late I don't think that would be the case, Ramsey.

Saint Maul
12/10/2018 17:30
I'd have to fancy Clermont to win this one sadly. Clermont are top of the Pro 14 for a reason and they want to win this competition and have picked a helluva side.

No bad having a British Lion scrum half as your reserve scrum half!

ramseysaint
12/10/2018 17:42
Quote:
Abington Adam
As he was under contract and just arrived late I don't think that would be the case, Ramsey.
Just wondered.

andysaint
12/10/2018 20:13
It does look like a Champions Cup side against a Challenge Cup side. Having said that the French don’t travel so well and we beat them at home last season.

Whether or not the competition is important for Saints this season, I do feel that it is important for the side to get a win.

Eif Jones
13/10/2018 01:10
Clermont last season were a shadow of their form this season, check the Top14 table. Yes, the French sides are usually easier when they have to travel but most of that is because they tend to rotate away from home keeping their top team for home games. La Rochelle murdered them in the scrum in the 1st half last weekend but the likes of Slimani is in their starting XV for this game.

Wilson Pickett
13/10/2018 08:57
Taqele is just being rested. Which is a good idea. Nice for him to spend a weekend with his family (I assume he has one with him) etc

SaintsAsh
13/10/2018 11:10
Ooh dear, front row could get hammered. Hopefully it will be good experience for painter against a top top loosehead

Cuddlez
13/10/2018 21:59
Without stability at tight head we will struggle,Aaron Painter will come good in time but Paul Hill can’t return quick enough.
Franks may be a 2 times World Cup winner but age and physical ability is limiting his scrum game.
Boyd needs to stand up and take the reins, whilst we have the majority of last years coaches still in power what really is going to change?
With England calling our leadership will disappear so let’s make changes now and let the players left to hold fast take over now.

Wilson Pickett
13/10/2018 23:31
you have to select the England players when they’re available, or why bother having them?

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net