Saints make wholesale changes as England stars return

Rory Hutchinson and Tom Litchfield are the only players to retain their places from the starting line-up that took on Newcastle last week, as Northampton welcome back a host of England internationals for Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership clash at home to Bristol.

The first-choice England half-back pairing of Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith start, having been on the bench for the 35-34 win over the Falcons, while Fraser Dingwall is restored to the midfield and the captaincy. He’ll partner Hutchinson, who played full-back at Kingston Park after James Ramm was forced to withdraw through injury.

Ramm has recovered in time to be named at 15, while Six Nations standout Tommy Freeman and Tom Litchfield provide the threat on the wings. Litchfield filled in at inside-centre last week after Phil Dowson had to hastily reshuffle his backline.

Saints’ pack has had a complete overhaul. Emmanuel Iyogun, Curtis Langdon and Trevor Davison are in the front row, while Temo Mayanavanaua and Alex Coles start behind them in the engine room.

Josh Kemeny and Henry Pollock – who was named among the nominees for the 2025 Investec Player of the Year earlier this week – return to action, while No.8 Juarno Augustus shifts back to the starting line-up after featuring amongst the replacements last week.

Saints opt for a five-three bench this weekend, with the likes of Tom West, Elliot Millar Mills, last week’s man of the match Tom James and Will Gliste,  who scored on his Gallagher Premiership debut last week, set to enter the action.

NORTHAMPTON v Bristol:

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 Alex Coles, 6 Josh Kemeny, 7 Henry Pollock, 8 Juarno Augustus.

Replacements: 16 Henry Walker, 17 Tom West, 18 Elliot Millar Mills, 19 Tom Lockett, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Tom James, 22 Tom Seabrook, 23 Will Glister.