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Wallaby Josh Kemeny starts at No6 for Saints as post-Lawes era begins
By Josh Raisey
Australia flanker Josh Kemeny is set to make his competitive debut for Gallagher Premiership champions Northampton Saints on Friday against Bath at the Rec in the opening match of the season.
The two-cap Wallaby will start in the No6 shirt- a jersey that was held by Courtney Lawes last season. He will partner Tom Pearson and Sam Graham in a back row that also saw Lewis Ludlam depart over the summer.
Kemeny is the only debutant in Saints' starting XV for the repeat of last season's Premiership final, but there are three more on the bench.
The former Saracens duo, loosehead Tom West and lock Callum Hunter-Hill, will likely make their debuts with 23-year-old tighthead Luke Green, who has joined from San Diego Legion in the United States.
The match in the West Country will also mark the beginning of George Furbank's tenure as captain.
Northampton XV
15 George Furbank (c)
14 James Ramm
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 Angus Scott-Young
5 Chunya Munga
6 Josh Kemeny – debut
7 Tom Pearson
8 Sam Graham
Replacements
16 Robbie Smith
17 Tom West – Northampton Saints debut
18 Luke Green – Northampton Saints debut
19 Callum Hunter-Hill – Northampton Saints debut
20 Juarno Augustus
21 Archie McParland
22 Toby Thame
23 Tommy Freeman
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Let’s hope all 3 teams succeed in this endeavour.
Go to commentsI’m not sure we learned anything we didn’t already know. England dominate, France nearest and maybe only competitors, Ireland continue to challenge, Scotland similar, Italy spirited and have quality in key positions but not enough throughout, Wales won’t demonstrate the impact of a new coaching team in this 6N. So, all in all, it’s as you were.
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