This Saturday's PREM Rugby showdown at Franklin’s Garden isn't just another match—it's a top-of-the-table clash with Northampton Saints hosting Saracens, both teams looking to edge out a lead early in the season. With Saints narrowly ahead by two points, this game could drastically shuffle the standings. Adding to the drama, Saints' Fraser Dingwall will celebrate his 150th cap, making this fixture a landmark event for the club.
Phil Dowson’s squad sees George Hendy back at full-back, with Edoardo Todaro and Tommy Freeman on the wings, the latter having shifted from centre last week. The powerhouse half-back pairing of Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith is set to ignite Northampton's tactical gameplay, while the forward pack remains robust with Alex Coles, Tom Pearson, and Henry Pollock—an all-England trio—ready to dominate the loose. The engine room features Tom Lockett and JJ Van Der Mescht, supported by a front row consisting of Trevor Davison, Robbie Smith, and Danilo Fischetti.
On the opposing side, Mark McCall’s Saracens are coming off a strong win against Sale. McCall has tweaked his lineup slightly, introducing Theo Dan in place of Jamie George as hooker, while retaining Eroni Mawi and Marco Riccioni. The locks remain unchanged with Maro Itoje leading and paired with Hugh Tizard. The backline promises excitement with Charlie Bracken and Fergus Burke at the helm, and young Noah Caluori, fresh off a five-try spectacle, taking up the right wing.
"Owen Farrell's exclusion makes complete sense as we look to the future," commented Saracens' director of rugby, Mark McCall, reflecting on the strategic adjustments ahead of this critical match.
With both teams at full strength and tactical shifts in play, the anticipation around this game is palpable. The Saints are predicted to edge out Saracens by five points, but as any rugby fan knows, anything can happen on match day.
Teams Line-up:
Northampton Saints: 15 George Hendy, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Fraser Dingwall (c), 11 Edoardo Todaro, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Henry Pollock, 7 Tom Pearson, 6 Alex Coles, 5 JJ Van Der Mescht, 4 Tom Lockett, 3 Trevor Davison, 2 Robbie Smith, 1 Danilo Fischetti. Replacements: 16 Craig Wright, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun, 18 Luke Green, 19 Ed Prowse, 20 Callum Chick, 21 Archie McParland, 22 Anthony Belleau, 23 Tom Litchfield.
Saracens: 15 Max Malins, 14 Noah Caluori, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jack Bracken, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Charlie Bracken, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Andy Onyeama-Christie, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5 Hugh Tizard, 4 Maro Ito
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This Saturday's PREM Rugby showdown at Franklin’s Garden isn't just another match—it's a top-of-the-table clash with Northampton Saints hosting Saracens, both teams looking to edge out a lead early in the season. With Saints narrowly ahead by two points, this game could drastically shuffle the standings. Adding to the drama, Saints' Fraser Dingwall will celebrate his 150th cap, making this fixture a landmark event for the club.
Phil Dowson’s squad sees George Hendy back at full-back, with Edoardo Todaro and Tommy Freeman on the wings, the latter having shifted from centre last week. The powerhouse half-back pairing of Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith is set to ignite Northampton's tactical gameplay, while the forward pack remains robust with Alex Coles, Tom Pearson, and Henry Pollock—an all-England trio—ready to dominate the loose. The engine room features Tom Lockett and JJ Van Der Mescht, supported by a front row consisting of Trevor Davison, Robbie Smith, and Danilo Fischetti.
On the opposing side, Mark McCall’s Saracens are coming off a strong win against Sale. McCall has tweaked his lineup slightly, introducing Theo Dan in place of Jamie George as hooker, while retaining Eroni Mawi and Marco Riccioni. The locks remain unchanged with Maro Itoje leading and paired with Hugh Tizard. The backline promises excitement with Charlie Bracken and Fergus Burke at the helm, and young Noah Caluori, fresh off a five-try spectacle, taking up the right wing.
"Owen Farrell's exclusion makes complete sense as we look to the future," commented Saracens' director of rugby, Mark McCall, reflecting on the strategic adjustments ahead of this critical match.
With both teams at full strength and tactical shifts in play, the anticipation around this game is palpable. The Saints are predicted to edge out Saracens by five points, but as any rugby fan knows, anything can happen on match day.
Teams Line-up:
Northampton Saints: 15 George Hendy, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Fraser Dingwall (c), 11 Edoardo Todaro, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Henry Pollock, 7 Tom Pearson, 6 Alex Coles, 5 JJ Van Der Mescht, 4 Tom Lockett, 3 Trevor Davison, 2 Robbie Smith, 1 Danilo Fischetti. Replacements: 16 Craig Wright, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun, 18 Luke Green, 19 Ed Prowse, 20 Callum Chick, 21 Archie McParland, 22 Anthony Belleau, 23 Tom Litchfield.
Saracens: 15 Max Malins, 14 Noah Caluori, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jack Bracken, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Charlie Bracken, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Andy Onyeama-Christie, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5 Hugh Tizard, 4 Maro Ito