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5 England stars return to 39-man Northampton Saints' line-up
By Ian Cameron
Five England internationals are set to return to Northampton Saints’ line-up for their final pre-season match this Friday in the Mobbs Memorial Match.
George Furbank will captain Saints as they face Bedford Blues in one of rugby’s oldest annual fixtures. This will be Furbank’s first appearance of the season in Black Green and Gold alongside fellow internationals Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Fraser Dingwall and Ollie Sleightholme.
The Mobbs Memorial Match began in 1921 in honour of Saints legend Edgar Mobbs and supports the Mobbs Memorial Fund which promotes the development of youth rugby in the East Midlands through grants to local clubs. This year marks the first time the Saints and Blues will face off in the fixture.
James Ramm and Rory Hutchinson will retain their places from last week’s defeat against Leinster with Ramm shifting from fullback to wing. The forward pack will feature Tom West and Luke Green starting at prop alongside Robbie Smith at hooker while Callum Hunter-Hill and Angus Scott-Young form the second row. The back row will see Henry Pollock, Josh Kemeny and Fyn Brown.
Saints will also name an extended bench with Curtis Langdon Trevor Davison and Tom James among those set to enter the match. Aiden Ainsworth-Cave and trialist Kieran Perkins could also make their first senior appearances for the club.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs BEDFORD BLUES
15. George Furbank (c)
14. Ollie Sleightholme
13. Fraser Dingwall
12. Rory Hutchinson
11. James Ramm
10. Fin Smith
9. Alex Mitchell
1. Tom West
2. Robbie Smith
3. Luke Green
4. Callum Hunter-Hill
5. Angus Scott-Young
6. Henry Pollock
7. Josh Kemeny
8. Fyn Brown
Replacements:
Curtis Langdon
Tarek Haffar
Trevor Davison
Elliot Millar Mills
Ed Prowse
Aiden Ainsworth-Cave
Kieran Perkins*
Craig Wright
Reuben Logan
Tom James
Archie McParland
Charlie Savala
Rafe Witheat
Sione Va’enuku*
Toby Thame
Tom Seabrook
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens - Kick-off: 7.45pm
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Latest Comments
My worry for Lancaste is he’d start off behind the 8 ball before coaching a single match due to the 2015 World Cup which is unfair as he no doubt has improved since then but that’s what people here, rugby folk or not, will associate him with and not the success at Leinster.
Go to commentsI’d probably agree this is a tour too early but Lions do have a rich history of capping bolters and Pollock isnt as far behind as many say. I think you under-estimate his jackle work as he has a great turnover rate at club level and even at England A, he even got one against Wales
Fact is the nature of the game is changing and fast lighter backrows becoming more and more common as ball in play times go up and teams look to play wider. He is faces a challenge to make the initial squad but he is definately part of the conversation
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