Henry Walker earns Saints debut against Newcastle Falcons

Hooker Henry Walker will become Saint #2107 this weekend, making his Northampton debut as the men in Black, Green and Gold round out 2024 by hosting Newcastle Falcons on Saturday (28 December, kick-off: 3pm).

The 26-year-old arrived in Northampton earlier this month from Ealing Trailfinders, and makes his first appearance at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens in the No.2 shirt.

Saints welcome Falcons in Round 9 of the Gallagher Premiership, having claimed victory in seven of their last eight clashes against Newcastle – with last season’s match-up in Northampton ending 38-13 in the hosts’ favour.

Ollie Sleightholme is only change to Northampton’s back three as he starts on the left wing, coming into the starting line-up this weekend to join winger Tommy Freeman and fullback George Hendy.

Fraser Dingwall returns to the captaincy this weekend as he starts in Saints’ centres, joining Tom Litchfield there against Newcastle – while Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith stay on in the hosts’ half-back berths for the clash with Falcons.

Alex Coles shifts into the engine room in Round 9 to start at lock alongside Chunya Munga, while Josh Kemeny recovers from injury to make his first appearance in Black, Green and Gold since November to start at blindside flanker for Saints.

Tom Pearson stays on at openside flanker against Newcastle and is joined by 19-year-old Henry Pollock who starts at No.8 for the fourth time this season.

Northampton opt for a six-two bench against Falcons, with the likes of Curtis Langdon, Temo Mayanavanua and Angus Scott-Young all set to enter the action – while Archie McParland and Rory Hutchinson provide Saints’ backs cover.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs NEWCASTLE FALCONS

Gallagher Premiership, Round 9

Saturday 28 December, 2024

cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens

Kick-off: 3pm

15 George Hendy

14 Tommy Freeman

13 Tom Litchfield

12 Fraser Dingwall (c)

11 Ollie Sleightholme

10 Fin Smith

9 Alex Mitchell

1 Tom West

2 Henry Walker – Saint #2107

3 Trevor Davison

4 Chunya Munga

5 Alex Coles

6 Josh Kemeny

7 Tom Pearson

8 Henry Pollock

Replacements:

16 Curtis Langdon

17 Tarek Haffar

18 Luke Green

19 Temo Mayanavanua

20 Angus Scott-Young

21 Iakopo Mapu

22 Archie McParland

23 Rory Hutchinson

Not available for selection:

Emeka Atuanya, George Furbank, Sam Graham, Burger Odendaal, Toby Thame, Robbie Smith and Craig Wright.