Saints to face Leinster in preseason fixture

Northampton Saints will lock horns with familiar foes Leinster Rugby this September, as the Dublin outfit head to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens for a preseason match. 

The sides have met five times in as many years, but the clash on Saturday 7 September (kick-off: 2pm) will mark the first time Leinster have made the trip to Northampton since 2019. 

Saints and Leinster met most recently in the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals last term, running out in front of more than 82,000 people in an historic clash at Croke Park back in May, where it was Leinster who came away 20-17 winners.

This season’s clash precedes Saints’ annual preseason fixture with partner club Bedford Blues – which this year takes on the moniker of the ‘Mobbs Memorial Match’ for the first time on Friday 13 September (kick-off: 7.45pm). 

Falling just two weeks before the start of the Gallagher Premiership season, Leinster’s visit will provide vital game-time for Phil Dowson’s squad ahead of their upcoming Premiership title defence. 

“We’re very excited to be welcoming Leinster to the Gardens for the first time in five years,” said Dowson, Northampton’s Director of Rugby. 

“It’s always vital to hit the ground running at the start of the season, and in Leinster we’re welcoming one of the very best sides in Europe so playing a team of their calibre is the perfect early assessment for us. 

“Our thanks go to Leinster for working with us to get this fixture arranged. We look forward to facing them in Northampton later this summer, and we’re also excited to welcome our supporters back to the Gardens for the first time in the 2024/25 campaign.”