Tommy Freeman, Alex Coles and Sam Matavesi are all set to start Northampton Saints’ clash against Gloucester Rugby this weekend following the conclusion of the Autumn Nations Series.The men in Black, Green and Gold travel to Kingsholm on Saturday afternoon to face the Cherry and Whites in the Gallagher Premiership (kick-off: 5.30pm, Live on BT Sport).The hosts will be looking to arrest a run of three straight defeats in the league, with Saints winning two of their last three, but Kingsholm has not been a happy hunting ground in recent years for Northampton who have won just once in their last six visits to Gloucester in all competitions.Director of Rugby Phil Dowson makes seven changes in total to this starting line-up from the side that beat the Barbarians on home soil last weekend.Lewis Ludlam leads out Northampton having made his return from injury last week, and the England flanker is joined in the back row by Coles – capped three times by the Red Rose last month – and No.8 Juarno Augustus, who leads Premiership in metres made in contact (157) so far this season.Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Alex Moon start together in the engine room for Saints for the fourth consecutive league match, while up front, Alex Waller moves into solo-ninth position on the Premiership’s all-time list of appearances in his 246th match in the competition.The loosehead prop will pack down in an experienced front row alongside Fiji hooker Matavesi – back in Black, Green and Gold from international duty – and tighthead prop Paul Hill.Amongst four changes across the back line, James Ramm makes his first Premiership start on the wing, with England internationals George Furbank and Freeman returning at fullback and wing respectively to complete the back three.Rory Hutchinson and Fraser Dingwall – who has crossed the gainline more times (56) than any other back in the league so far this season – are preferred in the centres, while Saints’ half-back duo of Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell start together for the third time.Amongst the replacements, there is a return to the Northampton squad for newly-capped David Ribbans – with the likes of Angus Scott-Young, Sam Graham, Tom James, and Matt Proctor also on the bench as Dowson opts for a 6-2 split.GLOUCESTER RUGBY vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTSGallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 12Saturday 3 December 2022Kingsholm StadiumKick-off: 5.30pm15 George Furbank14 James Ramm13 Fraser Dingwall12 Rory Hutchinson11 Tommy Freeman10 Fin Smith9 Alex Mitchell1 Alex Waller2 Sam Matavesi3 Paul Hill4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto5 Alex Moon6 Alex Coles7 Lewis Ludlam (c)8 Juarno AugustusReplacements:16 Robbie Smith17 Emmanuel Iyogun18 Alfie Petch19 David Ribbans20 Angus Scott-Young21 Sam Graham22 Tom James23 Matt ProctorNot considered for selection:Matthew Arden, James Fish, James Grayson, Mike Haywood, Geordie Irvine, Courtney Lawes, Tom Lockett and Ollie Sleightholme.GLOUCESTER SIDE TO FACE SAINTS15 Lloyd Evans, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Jonny May, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Stephen Varney; 1 Val Rapava-Ruskin, 2 Jack Singleton, 3 Fraser Balmain, 4 Freddie Clarke, 5 Matias Alemanno, 6 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Lewis Ludlow (c), 8 Ben MorganReplacements: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Harry Elrington, 18 Ciaran Knight, 19 Cam Jordan, 20 Jake Polledri, 21 Charlie Chapman, 22 Billy Twelvetrees, 23 Alex HearleReferee: Ian TempestAssistant referees: Greg Macdonald and John MeredithNo.4: Simon AdamsTMO: Andrew Jackson
Tommy Freeman, Alex Coles and Sam Matavesi are all set to start Northampton Saints’ clash against Gloucester Rugby this weekend following the conclusion of the Autumn Nations Series.
The men in Black, Green and Gold travel to Kingsholm on Saturday afternoon to face the Cherry and Whites in the Gallagher Premiership (kick-off: 5.30pm, Live on BT Sport).
The hosts will be looking to arrest a run of three straight defeats in the league, with Saints winning two of their last three, but Kingsholm has not been a happy hunting ground in recent years for Northampton who have won just once in their last six visits to Gloucester in all competitions.
Director of Rugby Phil Dowson makes seven changes in total to this starting line-up from the side that beat the Barbarians on home soil last weekend.
Lewis Ludlam leads out Northampton having made his return from injury last week, and the England flanker is joined in the back row by Coles – capped three times by the Red Rose last month – and No.8 Juarno Augustus, who leads Premiership in metres made in contact (157) so far this season.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Alex Moon start together in the engine room for Saints for the fourth consecutive league match, while up front, Alex Waller moves into solo-ninth position on the Premiership’s all-time list of appearances in his 246th match in the competition.
The loosehead prop will pack down in an experienced front row alongside Fiji hooker Matavesi – back in Black, Green and Gold from international duty – and tighthead prop Paul Hill.
Amongst four changes across the back line, James Ramm makes his first Premiership start on the wing, with England internationals George Furbank and Freeman returning at fullback and wing respectively to complete the back three.
Rory Hutchinson and Fraser Dingwall – who has crossed the gainline more times (56) than any other back in the league so far this season – are preferred in the centres, while Saints’ half-back duo of Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell start together for the third time.
Amongst the replacements, there is a return to the Northampton squad for newly-capped David Ribbans – with the likes of Angus Scott-Young, Sam Graham, Tom James, and Matt Proctor also on the bench as Dowson opts for a 6-2 split.
GLOUCESTER RUGBY vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 12
Saturday 3 December 2024
Kingsholm Stadium
Kick-off: 5.30pm
15 George Furbank
14 James Ramm
13 Fraser Dingwall
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Tommy Freeman
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Alex Waller
2 Sam Matavesi
3 Paul Hill
4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
5 Alex Moon
6 Alex Coles
7 Lewis Ludlam (c)
8 Juarno Augustus
Replacements:
16 Robbie Smith
17 Emmanuel Iyogun
18 Alfie Petch
19 David Ribbans
20 Angus Scott-Young
21 Sam Graham
22 Tom James
23 Matt Proctor
Not considered for selection:
Matthew Arden, James Fish, James Grayson, Mike Haywood, Geordie Irvine, Courtney Lawes, Tom Lockett and Ollie Sleightholme.
GLOUCESTER SIDE TO FACE SAINTS
15 Lloyd Evans, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Jonny May, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Stephen Varney; 1 Val Rapava-Ruskin, 2 Jack Singleton, 3 Fraser Balmain, 4 Freddie Clarke, 5 Matias Alemanno, 6 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Lewis Ludlow (c), 8 Ben Morgan
Replacements: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Harry Elrington, 18 Ciaran Knight, 19 Cam Jordan, 20 Jake Polledri, 21 Charlie Chapman, 22 Billy Twelvetrees, 23 Alex Hearle
Referee: Ian Tempest
Assistant referees: Greg Macdonald and John Meredith
No.4: Simon Adams
TMO: Andrew Jackson
