Fraser Dingwall gets timely chance to reinforce England claims

Fraser Dingwall will lead Northampton in their final Investec Champions Cup pool match this term, with Scarlets the opposition at a sold-out Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday (18 January, kick-off: 3.15pm).

Dingwall missed last weekend’s 50-28 loss to reigning champions Union Bordeaux-Bégles in France, having been knocked unconscious and stretchered off wearing a neck brace against Harlequins a week earlier.

However, Dingwall suffered no long-lasting ill effects and is back in the midfield as he looks to press home his case to be England’s No.12 in the Six Nations.

Dingwall is one of the leading contenders to start at inside-centre for England, and will likely be competing with Bath’s Max Ojomoh, who has had a few minor injury issues of his own lately.

Saints’ returning captain is partnered in Northampton’s midfield by British and Irish Lion Tommy Freeman.

Outside them, England’s Ollie Sleightholme and Italy’s Edoardo Todaro start the clash on Saints’ wings, with James Ramm recovering from the knock that kept him out against Bordeaux to feature at fullback for the first time this season.

Head-to-Head

We do not have any previous games on record.

Saints remain unchanged in the half-backs against Scarlets, as Anthony Belleau stays on at fly-half and England and Lions scrum-half Alex Mitchell makes his ninth Saints start of the season.

Robbie Smith – who penned a new deal to remain at cinch Stadium earlier this week – is one of two changes to Northampton’s front row, coming in at hooker to join incoming Emmanuel Iyogun and Trevor Davison, who start at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively.

Chunya Munga shifts into the starting XV against Scarlets, starting at lock alongside JJ Van Der Mescht in Round 4, while Josh Kemeny recovers to start at flanker on Sunday, joining fellow flanker Sam Graham and No.8 Henry Pollock in the back row.

There are two potential milestones for Saints amongst the replacements, as Tom Lockett is primed for both his return from injury and his 50th appearance in Black, Green and Gold on Sunday, while James Pater is set to make his European debut should he enter the action.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs Scarlets: Sunday, 18 January (ko 3.15pm):

15 James Ramm
14 Edoardo Todaro
13 Tommy Freeman
12 Fraser Dingwall (c)
11 Ollie Sleightholme
10 Anthony Belleau
9 Alex Mitchell

1 Emmanuel Iyogun
2 Robbie Smith
3 Trevor Davison
4 Chunya Munga
5 JJ Van Der Mescht
6 Josh Kemeny
7 Sam Graham
8 Henry Pollock

Replacements:
16 Craig Wright
17 Danilo Fischetti
18 Elliot Millar Mills
19 Tom Lockett – 50th Saints appearance
20 Callum Chick
21 Archie McParland
22 James Pater – Investec Champions Cup debut
23 George Hendy