Saints name side for Newcastle trip

Phil Dowson has named his Northampton Saints side to travel to Newcastle Falcons, with the men in Black, Green and Gold heading to Kingston Park in the Gallagher Premiership on Sunday (29 October, kick-off: 3pm).

Saints have claimed victory in the last four meetings between the two sides, including a 66-5 win at the end of last season that secured Northampton a second consecutive Premiership play-off place.

Director of rugby Dowson makes four changes to his side for the trip to Newcastle, with George Furbank back from injury to captain Saints, while Fraser Dingwall and George Hendy also make their returns to the starting XV.

Fullback Furbank leads the side from the back three, joined there by 21-year-old Hendy and Tom Seabrook – who has scored six tries in as many appearances in Black, Green and Gold so far.

Rory Hutchinson retains his place in Northampton’s midfield, with incoming Dingwall joining him there and half-backs Tom James and Fin Smith partnering to steer Saints’ ship for the third week running.

Saints name an unchanged front row as Ethan Waller, Curtis Langdon and Trevor Davison pack down there for the fourth match in a row.

Chunya Munga is set for his Premiership first start in Black, Green and Gold as he joins Alex Coles in Saints’ engine room, while Angus Scott-Young, Tom Pearson and Sam Graham remain in Northampton’s back row.

Meanwhile Tom Cruse, Elliot Millar Mills, Alex Moon, Archie McParland and James Grayson are all set to make an impact from amongst Saints’ replacements.

NEWCASTLE FALCONS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

Gallagher Premiership, Round 3

Sunday 29 October, 2023

Kingston Park

Kick-off: 3pm

15 George Furbank (c)

14 Tom Seabrook

13 Fraser Dingwall

12 Rory Hutchinson

11 George Hendy

10 Fin Smith

9 Tom James

1 Ethan Waller

2 Curtis Langdon

3 Trevor Davison

4 Chunya Munga

5 Alex Coles

6 Angus Scott-Young

7 Tom Pearson

8 Sam Graham

Replacements:

16 Tom Cruse

17 Alex Waller

18 Elliot Millar Mills

19 Tom Lockett

20 Alex Moon

21 Archie McParland

22 James Grayson

23 Tom Litchfield

Not available for selection:

Juarno Augustus, Callum Braley, Tommy Freeman, Emmanuel Iyogun, Tarek Haffar, Temo Mayanavanua, Beltus Nonleh, Burger Odendaal, James Ramm, Robbie Smith and Kayde Sylvester.

International duty:

Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Alex Mitchell (all England).

Referee: Hamish Smales

Assistant referees: Hamish Grant and Jamie Leahy

No. 4: Gregg Dawson

TMO: Dean Richards