Lewis Ludlam returns from injury to captain new-look Northampton

England flanker Lewis Ludlam is set to return from a two-month absence tomorrow when he captains Northampton Saints against Newcastle Falcons at Franklin's Gardens in the Gallagher Premiership.

The 28-year-old picked up an ankle injury against Harlequins in November, and has since been on the sidelines as the Saints have gone on an eight-match winning run (nine including the win over Quins), where they have reached the top of the league and secured a home tie in the Investec Champions Cup round of 16.

During his absence, Ludlam also missed out on Steve Borthwick's England squad for the Guinness Six Nations, but has seen seven of his teammates (Alex Coles, Fraser Dingwall, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Alex Mitchell, Tom Pearson and Fin Smith) make the squad- and rightfully so given their form. As a result, he will captain a much-changed Saints side against bottom of the league Newcastle, which will see Gabriel Hamer-Webb make his debut after signing a short-term deal last week.

This match provides Ludlam an opportunity to send a statement to Borthwick ahead of an extended break for Premiership sides during the Six Nations. With Saints teammate Courtney Lawes retiring after the World Cup, Tom Curry out for the season, Jack Willis ineligible and Billy Vunipola not selected, England's back row is much changed this year, which means the experience of Ludlam may be what Borthwick is after at some stage.

Northampton Saints XV

15 Rory Hutchinson

14 Gabriel Hamer-Webb

13 Burger Odendaal

12 Tom Litchfield

11 Ollie Sleightholme

10 Charlie Savala

9 Tom James

1 Alex Waller

2 Sam Matavesi

3 Trevor Davison

4 Temo Mayanavanua

5 Chunya Munga

6 Courtney Lawes

7 Lewis Ludlam (c)

8 Sam Graham

Replacements

16 Robbie Smith

17 Tarek Haffar

18 Elliot Millar Mills

19 Alex Moon

20 Juarno Augustus

21 Angus Scott-Young

22 Callum Braley

23 Joel Matavesi