Preview: Northampton Saints vs Wasps
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Preview: Northampton Saints vs Wasps
Northampton Saints vs Wasps (19:45) BT Sport
The last time these 2 met it was a 10 try thriller as Saints ran out 52-30 winners. Both teams have had sporadic form in the Aviva Premiership so far with both teams only picking up 4 wins.
Both team need a win tonight to keep up with the top 4 in the league with Saints in 5th 4 points behind Leicester and Wasps in 6th, who sit 7 points behind 4th place.
Kieran Brookes is back for Saints as one of 7 changes to last weeks win in Wales over the Scarlets. Mikey Haywood, Michael Paterson, Victor Matfield and Teimana Harrison are in the pack, while backs Luther Burrell and Tom Collins return.
Wasps travel to Franklin Gardens knowing that they haven't won there since 2005, something Dai Young's men will want to put right.
Alex Rieder will make his debut for Wasps at six, with James Haskell on international duty and Sam Jones injured.
George Smith will captain the side that sees starts for fit-again prop Jake Cooper-Woolley and number eight Nathan Hughes, who both made appearances from the bench in last weekend's 51-10 win over Leinster. Rob Miller comes in for Charles Piutau while Dan Robson is at scrum-half after impressing from the bench last weekend following the injury to Joe Simpson.
Dai Young has opted against selceting players released from their international camps earlier in the week, so Elliot Daly misses out along with Matt Mullan, Bradley Davies and Lorenzo Cittadini.
This one has the potential to be a great clash.
Prediction. Northampton by 6. The home side are coming into some good form, the return of Kieran Brookes will be a massive boost to their set piece too. Will be a close game with Wasps in some good form after last weeks trouncing of Leinster.
Dan Hayes
