Premiership
Sleightholme to bring up Saints half century against Falcons
Director of Rugby Phil Dowson has made six changes to his Northampton Saints side for this weekend’s Gallagher Premiership clash against Newcastle Falcons, with Ollie Sleightholme bringing up his 50th Club appearance and Rory Hutchinson, David Ribbans and James Grayson all returning to the starting line-up.The men in Black, Green and Gold have won seven of their last eight matches at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens in all competitions, and will be looking to add to that tally on Saturday afternoon (kick-off: 3pm, broadcast on PRTV Live).Saints enter the clash sitting sixth in the standings, but will be wary of a dangerous Newcastle side who have upset Northampton on six of the last 12 meetings between the clubs in all competitions.Fraser Dingwall will captain the side and is joined in the midfield by Scotland international Hutchinson, while Tom Collins also comes into the starting XV on the wing with half-centurion Sleightholme and fullback George Furbank keeping their places in the back three from last weekend’s win over Wasps.James Grayson starts at fly-half for Northampton, replacing the injured Dan Biggar, but Alex Mitchell continues in the No.9 jersey for the sixth straight league match.Meanwhile there are also three changes in Saints’ pack as No.8 Juarno Augustus returns to the back row, with Aaron Hinkley outside him at flanker and Ribbans coming into the engine room.Alex Coles – scorer of two tries last time out – continues on the openside flank and Alex Moon keeps his place in the second row as well, with the front row also unchanged as props Alex Waller and Paul Hill pack down either side of Sam Matavesi.There’s plenty of experience packed onto the hosts’ bench as internationals Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lewis Ludlam, Matt Proctor and Callum Braley will look to make an impact later in the contest, while England Under-20s fullback George Hendy is set for just his second Gallagher Premiership appearance if he enters the action.NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs NEWCASTLE FALCONSGallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 6Saturday 15 October 2022cinch Stadium at Franklin’s GardensKick-off: 3pm15 George Furbank14 Tom Collins13 Fraser Dingwall (c)12 Rory Hutchinson11 Ollie Sleightholme – 50th Saints appearance10 James Grayson9 Alex Mitchell1 Alex Waller2 Sam Matavesi3 Paul Hill4 David Ribbans5 Alex Moon6 Alex Coles7 Aaron Hinkley8 Juarno AugustusReplacements:16 Robbie Smith17 Ethan Waller18 Alfie Petch19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto20 Lewis Ludlam21 Callum Braley22 Matt Proctor23 George HendyNot considered for selection:Matthew Arden, Dan Biggar, Callum Burns, Tommy Freeman, Joseph Gaffan, Aston Gradwick-Light, Mike Haywood, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Courtney Lawes, Courtnall Skosan, and Karl Wilkins.Referee: Jack MakepeaceAssistant Referees: Anthony Woodthorpe and Jamie LeahyNo.4: Neil ChiversTMO: Andrew Jackson
Director of Rugby Phil Dowson has made six changes to his Northampton Saints side for this weekend’s Gallagher Premiership clash against Newcastle Falcons, with Ollie Sleightholme bringing up his 50th Club appearance and Rory Hutchinson, David Ribbans and James Grayson all returning to the starting line-up.
The men in Black, Green and Gold have won seven of their last eight matches at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens in all competitions, and will be looking to add to that tally on Saturday afternoon (kick-off: 3pm, broadcast on PRTV Live).
Saints enter the clash sitting sixth in the standings, but will be wary of a dangerous Newcastle side who have upset Northampton on six of the last 12 meetings between the clubs in all competitions.
Fraser Dingwall will captain the side and is joined in the midfield by Scotland international Hutchinson, while Tom Collins also comes into the starting XV on the wing with half-centurion Sleightholme and fullback George Furbank keeping their places in the back three from last weekend’s win over Wasps.
James Grayson starts at fly-half for Northampton, replacing the injured Dan Biggar, but Alex Mitchell continues in the No.9 jersey for the sixth straight league match.
Meanwhile there are also three changes in Saints’ pack as No.8 Juarno Augustus returns to the back row, with Aaron Hinkley outside him at flanker and Ribbans coming into the engine room.
Alex Coles – scorer of two tries last time out – continues on the openside flank and Alex Moon keeps his place in the second row as well, with the front row also unchanged as props Alex Waller and Paul Hill pack down either side of Sam Matavesi.
There’s plenty of experience packed onto the hosts’ bench as internationals Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lewis Ludlam, Matt Proctor and Callum Braley will look to make an impact later in the contest, while England Under-20s fullback George Hendy is set for just his second Gallagher Premiership appearance if he enters the action.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs NEWCASTLE FALCONS
Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 6
Saturday 15 October 2022
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3pm
15 George Furbank
14 Tom Collins
13 Fraser Dingwall (c)
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Ollie Sleightholme – 50th Saints appearance
10 James Grayson
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Alex Waller
2 Sam Matavesi
3 Paul Hill
4 David Ribbans
5 Alex Moon
6 Alex Coles
7 Aaron Hinkley
8 Juarno Augustus
Replacements:
16 Robbie Smith
17 Ethan Waller
18 Alfie Petch
19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
20 Lewis Ludlam
21 Callum Braley
22 Matt Proctor
23 George Hendy
Not considered for selection:
Matthew Arden, Dan Biggar, Callum Burns, Tommy Freeman, Joseph Gaffan, Aston Gradwick-Light, Mike Haywood, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Courtney Lawes, Courtnall Skosan, and Karl Wilkins.
Referee: Jack Makepeace
Assistant Referees: Anthony Woodthorpe and Jamie Leahy
No.4: Neil Chivers
TMO: Andrew Jackson
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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.
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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.
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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.
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