Coles returns as Saints name side to face Exeter

September 27, 2024
116
Ultimate Rugby

Alex Coles returns to Northampton Saints’ starting line-up this weekend as the men in Black, Green and Gold host Exeter Chiefs on Saturday 28 September (kick-off: 5.30pm).

Saints take to the turf at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens for the first time in the Gallagher Premiership this term, hoping to bounce back from a 38-16 defeat to Bath Rugby in Round 1.

Having won their last nine matches on home soil in the league, the men in Black, Green and Gold go in search of a tenth consecutive Premiership victory in Northampton on Saturday – a feat they haven’t achieved since 2010.

England lock Coles features for Saints for the first time this term, and joins Chunya Munga – who is set to make his 50th Premiership appearance on Saturday – in the second row.

Northampton name an unchanged front row for the clash with Chiefs, as hooker Curtis Langdon and props Emmanuel Iyogun and Trevor Davison retain their places in the starting line-up.

Juarno Augustus marks the only other change to Saints’ forward pack, starting in the No.8 shirt after an explosive first appearance off the bench in Bath. He joins flankers Josh Kemeny – who scored Saints’ only try on his debut last weekend – and Tom Pearson to complete the pack.

In Saints’ half-backs, Tom James and Fin Smith will reprise their roles at scrum-half and fly-half respectively when Chiefs come to town – with Rory Hutchinson and Fraser Dingwall starting outside them in the centres for the third week in a row.

Tommy Freeman is the only change to Northampton’s backline as he shifts into the starting XV this week on the wing, joining James Ramm and Saints skipper George Furbank in the back three.

Sam Graham is set to make his 50th Saints appearance from amongst Northampton’s replacements, with the likes of Robbie Smith, Angus Scott-Young and Ollie Sleightholme also set to enter the action from the bench on Saturday.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs EXETER CHIEFS

Gallagher Premiership, Round 2

Saturday 28 September, 2024

Kick-off: 5.30pm

15 George Furbank (c)

14 James Ramm

13 Fraser Dingwall

12 Rory Hutchinson

11 Tommy Freeman

10 Fin Smith

9 Tom James

1 Emmanuel Iyogun