Key Battles As Saints Meet Chiefs In Top Of The Table Clash

Key Battles As Saints Meet Chiefs In Top Of The Table Clash

The first round of the New Year pits league-leaders Northampton Saints against second-place Exeter Chiefs in a mouth-watering clash, live on TNT Sports through the discovery+ app.

Both sides have gone from strength to strength since their meeting in November when a dominant Saints victory propelled them into the top four at the expense of their visitors.

Chiefs have home advantage this time and have not lost at Sandy Park for 23 matches, a run which stretches back to October 2022, while Saints have won each of their last six fixtures.

One unbeaten record must fall in the south-west, so let’s take a look at the key battles which could determine the outcome of this spectacular Saturday showdown.

Rusi Tuima v Alex Coles


Starting in the engine room, Saints’ Alex Coles will be flying high after penning a new deal with his boyhood club.

Coles spent the majority of last season in the back row but has made the No.5 shirt his own this campaign, starting nine and featuring in all 10 of Saints’ league matches.


He comes up against one of the league’s rising stars in Rusi Tuima this weekend, who in his breakthrough season has appeared in all 17 of Chiefs’ fixtures to date, scoring four tries.

Three-cap Coles has restored his England hopes after a fine run of form, while Tuima has 14 appearances for the Under-20s to his name – both will harbour ambitions of making Steve Borthwick’s Six Nations squad and a big performance in this seismic clash could win over the England coach.

Jacques Vermeulen v Courtney Lawes

Courtney Lawes was rested from the start in Saints’ stirring win over Sale Sharks in Round 10 but was still on the shortlist for December’s Player of the Month award.

That follows two commanding 80-minute displays in wins over Saracens and Gloucester Rugby, which suggested that the 34-year-old still has a lot to offer.

He will be tasked with stifling Chiefs’ in-form openside flanker Jacques Vermeulen, who has scored three tries in his last four games.

Chiefs have scored more tries than any other side this season while Saints lead the way for tackles, and Lawes will need to be at his disruptive best if he hopes to stop Vermeulen’s hot streak.

 

Tom Wyatt v George Furbank

Two high-class full backs will be front and centre of battle in the skies, as Tom Wyatt and George Furbank go head-to-head for the first time.

Chiefs’ Wyatt has made more carry metres and beaten more defenders than any other player this season, and he will likely see a lot of ball on Saturday, with only Leicester Tigers having kicked more from hand than Saints.

Furbank has been one of Saints’ standout stars as typified by his captain’s performance in the comeback win against Sharks.

He scored the try that breathed new life into Saints before forcing the penalty try that won it for them, all while providing such strength under the high ball.

Wyatt was rested for Chiefs’ win at Bristol Bears as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso impressed, so he will be eager to make a mark on his return.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso v Tommy Freeman

Speaking of Feyi-Waboso, there will be a lot of eyes on him after a stunning showing at Ashton Gate.

The Cardiff-born wing sparkled in front of England boss Borthwick on Friday night, but it remains to be seen whether he will choose the red rose or the three feathers.

Such is the extent of the reshuffling across the Saints backline, it remains to be seen whether the 21-year-old will come face-to-face with Tommy Freeman.

Freeman is on track for his best scoring season to date, with 10 tries already this term, and has looked reinvigorated after missing out on the England World Cup squad.

Both started on the right wing in the reverse fixture, but regardless of where they play on Saturday, they are must-watch match-winners brimming with confidence.

     
     

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