Saints ring the changes for final pool clash against Saracens

Northampton Saints have switched up their side for the final pool stage clash of this season’s PREM Rugby Cup, making nine changes to their starting XV ahead of Saracens’ visit to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. 

The men in Black, Green and Gold have already sealed their place in the competition’s semi-finals thanks to back-to-back away victories over Harlequins (24-40) and Newcastle Red Bulls (21-49) in recent weeks. 

Despite that, victory for Saints this weekend still proves vital – with a win imperative if Northampton are to secure the best ranking they can and boost their hopes of a home Final should they progress beyond the competition’s final four.

Callum Chick provides one of Saints’ nine changes as he comes into the starting line-up to captain Northampton this weekend from the No.8 shirt, while 17-year-old back row Jack Lewis is primed for his first start in a Saints shirt on Saturday as he starts at flanker alongside Tom Lockett. 

Ahead of them, JJ Van Der Mescht makes his first appearance for Northampton in a month as he starts alongside Chunya Munga in the second row. 

Tom West is the only remaining face in Saints’ front row from last weekend’s side, with Craig Wright coming in at hooker and Cleopas Kundiona making his second start of the season at tighthead prop. 

England Under-20s star James Pater returns to the Club this weekend while the U20s Six Nations takes a break, starting at fly-half for the second time in his Saints career as he partners scrum-half Tom James against Saracens. 

George Furbank returns to Saints’ camp from his England duties this weekend, coming into a reshuffled backline at fullback. That allows James Martin to switch back to the wing against Saracens, while James Ramm joins Martin in the back three this week. 

There is set to be a milestone amongst Saints’ replacements, as Robbie Smith is primed for his 50th appearance in a Saints shirt at cinch Stadium. He is joined on the bench by several other Saints returning from international camps, including Emmanuel Iyogun from England and Rory Hutchinson from Scotland – while the likes of Luke Green, Tom Pearson and George Hendy are also set to enter the action. 

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs SARACENS
PREM Rugby Cup, Round 10
Saturday 28 February, 2026
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3.05pm

15 George Furbank
14 James Ramm
13 Tom Litchfield
12 Toby Thame
11 James Martin
10 James Pater
9 Tom James

1 Tom West
2 Craig Wright
3 Cleopas Kundiona
4 Chunya Munga
5 JJ Van Der Mescht
6 Tom Lockett
7 Jack Lewis – Saints Under-18s
8 Callum Chick (c)

Replacements:
16 Robbie Smith – 50th Saints appearance
17 Emmanuel Iyogun
18 Luke Green
19 James Bennett – Guest player
20 Tom Pearson
21 Jonny Weimann
22 Rory Hutchinson
23 George Hendy

Not available for selection:
Emeka Atuanya, Will Glister, Sam Graham, Curtis Langdon, Henry Lumley, Alex Mitchell, Ollie Sleightholme, and Edoardo Todaro.

Referee: Jamie Parr
Assistant referee: Charlie Gayther and James Clarke
No.4: Kieron Henry