News: Teams up Saints v Clermont
By Saint Ted
January 12 2018
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
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:01:13:08:17:26 by Saint Ted.
Good team, Courts at 6 is a bit odd as Woody had a great game there last week.
Still, COYS!
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.
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.
good to see involvement for Mitch and Nafi too - presumably a rest for Gibson
this can only be a good thing for the likes of Grays, Tom S and more recently Eadie.
Perhaps Gaffney is hoping that the Wandies momentum and confidence will help drive the 23. I didn't appear to have done Ken much harm!
Quote:I worry about Brookes, I worry that my tv may be out in the drive if the usual belly flop happens.HungryLikeTheWolf
Picked a big pack to try and negate their perceived dominance.
Great to see Stephenson in, has all that is required to be a great player.
Can't be there but COYS
This is our team:
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ASM Clermont Auvergne supporter
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:01:12:17:51:43 by Le marseillais.