By Saint Ted
May 3 2019

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs WORCESTER WARRIORSGallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 21Saturday 4 May, 2019Franklin’s GardensKick-off: 3pm 

Director of rugby Chris Boyd has made just two changes to his side ahead of this weekend’s Gallagher Premiership clash against Worcester Warriors – the final match at Franklin’s Gardens this season.

Props Alex Waller and Ben Franks both come in to start in the front row, while the departing Luther Burrell is also named at inside centre for his final home appearance in Black, Green and Gold before he makes the switch to rugby league this summer.

Saints will be hoping to complete a season’s double over the Warriors after a superb 32-6 triumph at Sixways back in December.

Boyd’s side, having won their last two Premiership fixtures against Harlequins and Newcastle (both on the road), are also bidding to win a third straight match for the first time in the league since September 2017 – and in doing so continue their march towards the play-off places.

Club captain Waller will lead out the side on his return to the starting XV, with World Cup winner Franks and hooker Reece Marshall alongside him in the front row.

But the rest of the pack is unchanged from last Friday’s 31-17 victory at Kingston Park, with Courtney Lawes and Api Ratuniyarawa in the engine room once more, while Jamie Gibson, Tom Wood, and No.8 Teimana Harrison make up the back row.

Boyd has also resisted the urge to tinker with his back-line, as half-backs Cobus Reinach and Dan Biggar start together again with Burrell and Rory Hutchinson outside them.

And after winning the Premiership’s try of the week award for his blistering score against Newcastle, Tom Collins retains his place within a back-three which also contains Taqele Naiyaravoro and Ahsee Tuala.

Saints are able to welcome back some reinforcements into the replacements from injury, with Piers Francis and Lewis Ludlam hoping to make an impact if introduced, while Ken Pisi will also make his Gardens farewell from the bench

15 Ahsee Tuala
14 Tom Collins
13 Rory Hutchinson
12 Luther Burrell
11 Taqele Naiyaravoro
10 Dan Biggar
9 Cobus Reinach

1 Alex Waller (c)
2 Reece Marshall
3 Ben Franks
4 Api Ratuniyarawa
5 Courtney Lawes
6 Jamie Gibson
7 Tom Wood
8 Teimana Harrison

Replacements:
16 Samson Ma'asi
17 Francois Van Wyk
18 Paul Hill
19 Alex Coles
20 Lewis Ludlam
21 Alex Mitchell
22 Piers Francis
23 Ken Pisi

Not available for selection:
Andy Symons (knee), Harry Mallinder (knee), Mikey Haywood (knee), Dylan Hartley (knee), Paddy Ryan (knee), Fraser Dingwall (ankle), David Ribbans (ankle), Heinrich Brüssow (concussion), Alex Moon (ankle), James Craig (hamstring), Nafi Tuitavake (elbow), and George Furbank (concussion).

For tickets and more info head to T'Offy

Teams Up: Saints v Warriors

Discussion started by Marching On , 03/05/2019 12:13

Marching On
03/05/2019 12:13

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tedge
03/05/2019 11:59

Would have thought that if Ludlam and Francis are fit they would have started. Props starters interesting.

Tuala
Collins
Hutchinson
Burrell
Naiyaravoro
Biggar
Reinach

Waller
Marshall
Franks
Ratuniyarawa
Lawes
Gibson
Wood
Harrison

Ma'asi, Van Wyk, Hill, Coles, Mitchell,Ludlam, Francis, Pisi



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2019:05:03:12:03:18 by tedge.

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fair_weather_fan
03/05/2019 12:05

No place for the recovered Furbank. Ken Pisi to get a cameo, well deserved. Francis covering all the backline spots.

Fish not recovered so another bench spot for Samson.

Injury list clearly too long to print

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Chris Hoddle
03/05/2019 12:19

Says in injury list that furbank still has concussion

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St Marcus
03/05/2019 12:22

Looks like Furbank still out. I imagine we will see Ludlam and Francis both get a decent runout from the bench. Hopefully we can give Ken and Luther (and all the other leavers) a great sendoff.

It would be very nice going into this if Tigers could do us a favour at the Stoop tonight...

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Duckonstilts
03/05/2019 13:19

I think Tigers would agree. Starting the weekend without the fear of relegation would cheer up the bouncy ones.

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smitferbrainz
03/05/2019 13:28

Quote:

Duckonstilts
I think Tigers would agree. Starting the weekend without the fear of relegation would cheer up the bouncy ones.

Well they should be well motivated for it. Every reason for them to go and win the game, relegation put to bed and it’s in their hands. First time I think that I’ll be cheering for Tigers.

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Yorkie Saint
03/05/2019 14:45

Exeter playing their second team this week, and with next week off, they are likely (imho) to play a near full strength one against us to blow off the cobwebs for the playoffs. Can't believe i'm going to say this....come on Leicester!

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Connorman
03/05/2019 17:14

I simply cannot bring myself to cheer on that shower from up the road. Whatever the result tonight, 4th will still be in Saints' hands.

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Sir Hector
03/05/2019 20:45

Well given that Sarries have the European final next week they are going to be fielding a second string side tomorrow so why wouldn’t Chiefs do the same.

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