Henry Pollock switches position as Saints name 4 Lions for Saracens

Henry Pollock has been switched to the back of the pack for Northampton’s last home game of the season against play-off chasing Saracens at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday.

The majority of the 20-year-old’s club rugby this season has come at openside, but he has caught the eye when anchoring the scrum, too, notably scoring a brilliant chip-and-chase try the last time he had an eight in his back up at Sale in March.

Pollock also bagged a Champions Cup brace against Stade Français in January and appeared there in the league game at home to Newcastle over the festive period.

Director of Rugby Phil Dowson’s hand was partly forced by the absence of Juarno Augustus through injury. Josh Kemeny starts at openside for the first time in his Saints career as Pollock’s deputy.

All told, Saints make 13 changes for the Round 17 clash, with only Tom Lockett and Tom Litchfield remaining from the side that were defeated by Exeter Chiefs last time out.

Fraser Dingwall returns to captain Saints against Saracens, joining Rory Hutchinson in the midfield on Saturday.

Outside them, winger Litchfield is joined in Saints’ back three by fullback James Ramm and Tommy Freeman – who was one of four Northampton players to be named in the 2025 British and Irish Lions squad last week.

Two other names to be read out as part of the Lions squad announcement start in Saints’ half-backs – with Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith featuring against Saracens at scrum-half and fly-half respectively.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

4

Draws

0

Wins

1

Average Points scored

28

26

First try wins

100%

Home team wins

80%

Emmanuel Iyogun, Curtis Langdon and Trevor Davison – who brings up at half century of appearances in Black, Green and Gold this week – come back into the starting line-up to form Saints’ front row, while Temo Mayanavanua and Lockett partner in the engine room behind them.

Alex Coles shifts into the back row, joining this season’s Coaches’ and Players’ Player of the Season, Josh Kemeny and Saints’ fourth Lions tourist Henry Pollock – who himself claimed the gongs for Breakthrough Player, Young Player and Try of the Season at the club’s awards dinner earlier this week.

Saints name a five-three bench for the clash with Saracens, with the likes of Tarek Haffar, Elliot Millar Mills, Ed Prowse, Jonny Weimann and Tom Seabrook set to enter the action on Saturday.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs Saracens: 15 James Ramm, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Fraser Dingwall (c), 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Tom Litchfield, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 1 Emmanuel Iyogun, 2 Curtis Langdon, 3 Trevor Davison, 4 Temo Mayanavanua, 5 Tom Lockett, 6 Alex Coles, 7 Josh Kemeny, 8 Henry Pollock.
Replacements: 16 Craig Wright, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Elliot Millar Mills, 19 Ed Prowse, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Jonny Weimann, 22 Jake Garside.