Match Preview: Northampton Saints v Harlequins

Northampton Saints are seeking back-to-back home wins as Harlequins make the trip to cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens.

Some 142 points were recorded across the two matches between the sides last year with one win apiece.

Saints come into this one following a pulsating 30-24 victory over Exeter Chiefs, while Quins also notched up a first win of the new campaign in Round 2, beating Newcastle Falcons 28-14.

Saints have made one change in each the backs and forwards, with Ollie Sleightholme and Sam Graham, the latter fresh from making his 50th club appearance, returning to the starting line-up in place of James Ramm and Juarno Augustus.

Quins' starting XV features six changes following the win against Falcons, with Irne Herbst set to make his 50th appearance and Stephan Lewies continuing to captain the side in the absence of the injured Alex Dombrandt.

Jack Walker returns at hooker while Danny Care is restored at scrum-half. Jarrod Evans moves into the starting line-up at number 10 with Marcus Smith moving to fullback in place of Leigh Halfpenny.

In the centres, Lennox Anyanwu is joined by Will Joseph who comes in for the injured Luke Northmore. Oscar Beard and Nick David start on the wings, with Cassius Cleaves picking up an injury against Newcastle.

Saints are calling on the Club’s supporters to light up cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday evening via a groundbreaking mobile phone powered Light Show – a world first in rugby union.

TV: Live on TNT Sports 1 and UHD, kick-off 7.45pm.

Referee: Matthew Carley

Assistant Referees: George Selwood & Wayne Falla

TMO: Rowan Kitt

Team News

Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank (c), 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Fraser Dingwall, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Tom James; 1 Emmanuel Iyogun, 2 Curtis Langdon, 3 Trevor Davison, 4 Chunya Munga, 5 Alex Coles, 6 Josh Kemeny, 7 Tom Pearson, 8 Sam Graham

Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Tom West, 18 Luke Green, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Henry Pollock, 21 Archie McParland, 22 Tom Seabrook, 23 James Ramm

Harlequins: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Nick David, 13 Will Joseph, 12 Lennox Anyanwu, 11 Oscar Beard, 10 Jarrod Evans, 9 Danny Care; 1 Fin Baxter, 2 Jack Walker, 3 Titi Lamositele, 4 Irne Herbst, 5 Stephan Lewies, 6 Jack Kenningham, 7 Will Evans, 8 Chandler Cunningham-South

Replacements: 16 Nathan Jibulu, 17 Jordan Els, 18 Simon Kerrod, 19 Dino Lamb, 20 James Chisholm, 21 Will Porter, 22 Bryn Bradley, 23 Cameron Anderson

Oval Insights

Northampton Saints

• Fin Smith and Fraser Dingwall made more tackles than any other players at the weekend: 24 and 21 respectively. Between them, they won total of five turnovers.
• Northampton Saints have made more dominant tackles than any other team this season (25) and have the second-highest tackle success rate (82.1%).
• A league-high 52.9% of the Saints’ possessions have ended with kicks in the opening two rounds. They have made more kick in play metres than any other team (2,192).

Harlequins

• Jack Kenningham leads the league having won five turnovers this season – one ahead of teammate Will Evans.
• Nathan Jibulu has a perfect lineout record with 21 successful throws in two games, which leads the Premiership.
• Harlequins have made 239 successful tackles this season with a success rate of 83% - the best in the league.