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Henry Pollock swaps position as Northampton Saints make 4 changes for Bath
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Northampton Saints have made four changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s Gallagher PREM meeting with Bath at DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
JJ van der Mescht, Callum Chick, Alex Mitchell and James Pater all come into the side for the round-three clash, with Bath sitting one place above the reigning champions after the opening two weekends of the season.
The fixture has been a happy one for Saints on home soil in recent years. Northampton have won every meeting between the sides at Franklin’s Gardens since 2021, with the last two encounters both settled by late Fin Smith penalties.
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Smith is again named at fly-half and is joined in the half-backs by returning British and Irish Lion Alex Mitchell.
Ex-England U20 star James Pater comes back in at full-back after winning the club’s Player of the Month award for September, while Ollie Sleightholme starts on the wing alongside fellow Test star Tommy Freeman.
There is no change in midfield, where captain Fraser Dingwall partners Rory Hutchinson.
Up front, Emmanuel Iyogun, Curtis Langdon and Cleopas Kundiona are retained in the front row. Giant second-row Van der Mescht comes in alongside Alex Coles, while Henry Pollock shifts back to openside flanker to accommodate Callum Chick returning at No.8.
Wallaby Josh Kemeny completes the back row.
Saints have opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, where Ed Prowse is in line to make his 50th appearance for the club. Robbie Smith, Danilo Fischetti and Tom Lockett provide forward cover, while Archie McParland and Anthony Belleau are the backline replacements.
Northampton Saints: James Pater, 14. Tommy Freeman, 13. Rory Hutchinson, 12. Fraser Dingwall (c), 11. Ollie Sleightholme, 10. Fin Smith, 9. Alex Mitchell; 1. Emmanuel Iyogun, 2. Curtis Langdon, 3. Cleopas Kundiona, 4. Alex Coles, 5. JJ Van Der Mescht, 6. Josh Kemeny, 7. Henry Pollock, 8. Callum Chick.
Replacements: 16. Robbie Smith, 17. Danilo Fischetti, 18. Ion Neculai, 19. Tom Lockett, 20. Ed Prowse, 21. Josh Taylor, 22. Archie McParland, 23. Anthony Belleau.
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