Premiership
Saints make seven changes for home showdown against Stade Rochelais
Fraser Dingwall, Courtnall Skosan, Callum Braley and Aaron Hinkley are among seven changes to Northampton Saints’ starting line-up this weekend ahead of the visit of Stade Rochelais in the Heineken Champions Cup.The men in Black, Green and Gold will welcome the reigning European champions to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday (kick-off: 1pm) looking to secure qualification for the knock-out rounds of the EPCR Challenge Cup.Saints were beaten in La Rochelle in December in the first ever meeting between the sides, but have won seven of their last eight fixtures on home soil in all competitions, and will look to end their Champions Cup campaign on a high note.Director of Rugby Phil Dowson makes three changes to Northampton’s back-line with Dingwall stepping into the centres alongside Rory Hutchinson, and scrum-half Callum Braley partnering Fin Smith in the half-back berths – after the 20-year-old No.10 was called into the England squad for the first time earlier this week.England internationals George Furbank and Tommy Freeman keep their places at fullback and wing respectively, but Skosan starts on the other wing to round off the back three.A new-look front row will pack down for Northampton, with props Ethan Waller and Ehren Painter either side of hooker Robbie Smith.After starting Saints’ last three matches at flanker, Australia international Lukhan Salakaia-Loto shifts into the engine room to join David Ribbans.Meanwhile Aaron Hinkley earns his first start since early December at openside, and lines up in the back row alongside Courtney Lawes and No.8 Lewis Ludlam.Amongst the replacements for Saints, loosehead prop Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi is set for his second appearance of the season if he enters the action, while wing Ollie Sleightholme also makes his return from injury and will hope to make an impact from the bench.NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs STADE ROCHELAISHeineken Champions Cup, Pool B, Round 4Saturday 21 January 2023cinch Stadium at Franklin’s GardensKick-off: 1pm15 George Furbank14 Tommy Freeman13 Fraser Dingwall12 Rory Hutchinson11 Courtnall Skosan10 Fin Smith9 Callum Braley1 Ethan Waller2 Robbie Smith3 Ehren Painter4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto5 David Ribbans6 Courtney Lawes7 Aaron Hinkley8 Lewis Ludlam (c)Replacements:16 Mike Haywood17 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi18 Alfie Petch19 Alex Coles20 Angus Scott-Young21 Tom James22 Ollie Sleightholme23 James RammNot considered for selection:Juarno Augustus, James Fish, James Grayson, Emmanuel Iyogun, Joel Matavesi and Sam Matavesi.STADE ROCHELAIS TEAM TO FACE SAINTS:15 Brice Dulin, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Jules Favre, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Tawera Kerr Barlow; 1 Reda Wardi, 2 Samuel Lagrange, 3 Uini Atonio, 4 Romain Sazy, 5 Rémi Picquette, 6 Levani Botia, 7 Remi Bourdeau, 8 Grégory Alldritt (c)Replacements: 16 Quentin Lespiaucq Brettes, 17 Joel Sclavi, 18 Georges Henri Colombe, 19 Thomas Lavault, 20 Ultan Dillane, 21 Paul Boudehent, 22 Thomas Berjon, 23 Teddy ThomasReferee: Andrea Piardi (ITA)Assistant referees: Eoghan Cross and Dan Carson (IRE)No.4: Ryan Collier (ENG)TMO: Joy Neville (IRE)
Fraser Dingwall, Courtnall Skosan, Callum Braley and Aaron Hinkley are among seven changes to Northampton Saints’ starting line-up this weekend ahead of the visit of Stade Rochelais in the Heineken Champions Cup.
The men in Black, Green and Gold will welcome the reigning European champions to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday (kick-off: 1pm) looking to secure qualification for the knock-out rounds of the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Saints were beaten in La Rochelle in December in the first ever meeting between the sides, but have won seven of their last eight fixtures on home soil in all competitions, and will look to end their Champions Cup campaign on a high note.
Director of Rugby Phil Dowson makes three changes to Northampton’s back-line with Dingwall stepping into the centres alongside Rory Hutchinson, and scrum-half Callum Braley partnering Fin Smith in the half-back berths – after the 20-year-old No.10 was called into the England squad for the first time earlier this week.
England internationals George Furbank and Tommy Freeman keep their places at fullback and wing respectively, but Skosan starts on the other wing to round off the back three.
A new-look front row will pack down for Northampton, with props Ethan Waller and Ehren Painter either side of hooker Robbie Smith.
After starting Saints’ last three matches at flanker, Australia international Lukhan Salakaia-Loto shifts into the engine room to join David Ribbans.
Meanwhile Aaron Hinkley earns his first start since early December at openside, and lines up in the back row alongside Courtney Lawes and No.8 Lewis Ludlam.
Amongst the replacements for Saints, loosehead prop Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi is set for his second appearance of the season if he enters the action, while wing Ollie Sleightholme also makes his return from injury and will hope to make an impact from the bench.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs STADE ROCHELAIS
Heineken Champions Cup, Pool B, Round 4
Saturday 21 January 2023
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 1pm
15 George Furbank
14 Tommy Freeman
13 Fraser Dingwall
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Courtnall Skosan
10 Fin Smith
9 Callum Braley
1 Ethan Waller
2 Robbie Smith
3 Ehren Painter
4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
5 David Ribbans
6 Courtney Lawes
7 Aaron Hinkley
8 Lewis Ludlam (c)
Replacements:
16 Mike Haywood
17 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi
18 Alfie Petch
19 Alex Coles
20 Angus Scott-Young
21 Tom James
22 Ollie Sleightholme
23 James Ramm
Not considered for selection:
Juarno Augustus, James Fish, James Grayson, Emmanuel Iyogun, Joel Matavesi and Sam Matavesi.
STADE ROCHELAIS TEAM TO FACE SAINTS:
15 Brice Dulin, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Jules Favre, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Tawera Kerr Barlow; 1 Reda Wardi, 2 Samuel Lagrange, 3 Uini Atonio, 4 Romain Sazy, 5 Rémi Picquette, 6 Levani Botia, 7 Remi Bourdeau, 8 Grégory Alldritt (c)
Replacements: 16 Quentin Lespiaucq Brettes, 17 Joel Sclavi, 18 Georges Henri Colombe, 19 Thomas Lavault, 20 Ultan Dillane, 21 Paul Boudehent, 22 Thomas Berjon, 23 Teddy Thomas
Referee: Andrea Piardi (ITA)
Assistant referees: Eoghan Cross and Dan Carson (IRE)
No.4: Ryan Collier (ENG)
TMO: Joy Neville (IRE)
Content & Images from – Northampton Saints Rugby
Sale Sharks can confirm that fly-half George Ford suffered a tear to his right quad during the early stages of the Gallagher Premiership round two game at Saracens on Saturday. Following a positive consultation with a specialist it was decided that George does not require surgery and he will now begin his rehab ahead of a busy period for club and country.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
Alex Sanderson has made six changes to his starting XV to face Gloucester Rugby in the first game of the season under the Salford Stadium Friday night lights, while summer signing Le Roux Roets appears in a matchday squad for the first time (Discovery+, 7.45pm KO).
Josh Beaumont, Ernst van Rhyn and Rouban Birch come into the pack following the round two defeat at Saracens, while Sam Bedlow, Will Addison and Arron Reed are picked in the backs to face George Skivington’s men.
In total, 12 of the XV and 19 in the matchday 23 have come through or spent time in the Sharks Academy.
The Sharks front-row remains intact from the trip to the StoneX as England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie lines up once again between 20-year-old Asher Opoku-Fordjour and loosehead Si McIntyre.
Al has picked a towering second-row as Ben Bamber teams up with Josh Beaumont.
With Ben and Tom Curry as well as JL du Preez all missing as they undergo their return to play protocols following head injuries, Ernst van Rhyn returns alongside fellow flanker Sam Dugdale and Birch at number 8.
Gus Warr starts again at scrum-half but with George Ford injured (quad) he’ll have skipper Rob du Preez for company at half-back. After coming on as a replacement against Saracens, Bedlow starts alongside Addison, who makes his first start since re-joining the club in the summer.
Speedster Arron Reed makes his first appearance of the season alongside Tom Roebuck and full-back Joe Carpenter.
Hooker Ethan Caine, and props Tumy Onasanya and James Harper cover the front row from the replacements bench with England U20s lock Tom Burrow and summer signing Le Roux Roets covering the rest of the forwards. Nye Thomas, Tom Curtis and Waisea Nayacalevu cover the backs.
Sale Sharks starting XV:
15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Will Addison, 12. Sam Bedlow, 11. Arron Reed, 10. Rob du Preez, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Si McIntyre, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 4. Ben Bamber, 5. Josh Beaumont 6. Ernst van Rhyn, 7. Sam Dugdale, 8. Rouban Birch.
Replacements:
16. Ethan Caine, 17. Tumy Onasanya, 18. James Harper, 19. Tom Burrow, 20. Le Roux Roets, 21. Nye Thomas, 22. Tom Curtis, 23. Waisea Nayacalevu.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
Injuries have forced Alex Sanderson to make three changes to his starting XV to face Saracens at the StoneX on Saturday (3.05pm KO, Saturday 28th September, live on TNT Sports).
Si McIntyre replaces last week’s Player of the Match Bevan Rodd (hamstring), while Ben Bamber and Sam Dugdale come in for Ernst van Rhyn and Tom Curry who are both undergoing their return to play protocols after leaving the field during the round one win over Harlequins.
With Sam Bedlow returning to the bench to make a 5-3 split, the matchday squad features 16 players who have come through or been involved with the Sale Sharks Academy.
In the front-row, England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie lines up between 20-year-old Asher Opoku-Fordjour and returning loosehead McIntyre.
Al has picked a towering second-row as Bamber teams up with Hyron Andrews.
Openside flanker Ben Curry captains the side again and he and Dugdale will pack down either side of Jean-Luc du Preez at number 8.
The backs are unchanged from the narrow win over Quins, with Gus Warr starting again at scrum-half alongside fly-half George Ford, and Rob du Preez and Waisea Nayacalevu outside them in the centres.
Alex has picked a familiar back three once again with Tom O’Flaherty, Tom Roebuck and full-back Joe Carpenter hoping to provide the spark.
The replacements bench is an exclusively Sharks Academy affair with hooker Ethan Caine, and props Tumy Onasanya and James Harper covering the front row. Josh Beaumont and Rouban Birch make up the rest of the forwards, while Nye Thomas, Bedlow and Will Addison cover the backs.
Sale Sharks Starting lineup:
15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu, 12. Rob du Preez, 11. Tom O’Flaherty, 10. George Ford, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Si McIntyre, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 4. Ben Bamber, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. Sam Dugdale, 7. Ben Curry ©, 8. Jean-Luc du Preez.
Replacements:
16. Ethan Caine, 17. Tumy Onasanya, 18. James Harper, 19. Josh Beaumont, 20. Rouban Birch, 21. Nye Thomas, 22. Sam Bedlow, 23. Will Addison.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
Jordan signs for Bristol Bears
IRFU Announces Return Of ‘A’ Interprovincial Championship
