Semi-Final Preview: Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers
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Northampton Saints host Leicester Tigers in the East Midlands derby with both sides battling for a place in the Gallagher PREM Rugby Final at Allianz Stadium.
After seven seasons at Saints, prop Emmanuel Iyogun will bring up a century of appearances for Northampton on Friday evening.
Iyogun is one of 11 changes after Saints’ 38-31 final-round loss against Harlequins, five in the forwards and six in the backs.
Elliot Millar Mills joins Iyogun in the front row, with Alex Coles and Ed Prowse making up an all-new second row. Henry Pollock slots into No.8.
Archie McParland and Fin Smith are the half-backs with George Hendy and Tommy Freeman lining up on the wings.
George Furbank starts at full-back with Rory Hutchinson named at inside centre – director of rugby Phil Dowson opting for a 6-2 split on the bench towards the forwards.
Meanwhile, Geoff Parling has made five changes to his starting line-up after a close 24-22 loss to Bath Rugby in Round 18.
Freddie Steward returns to the Tigers starting XV after missing two fixtures with a thumb injury, as does Billy Searle who has not run out for Leicester since their Round 14 defeat at Saracens.
Ollie Hassell-Collins comes in on the wing, while George Martin and Joaquin Moro get the nod in the second row and at No.8 respectively.
TV: Live on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and HBO Max
Referee: Luke Pearce
ARs: Anthony Woodthorpe and Adam Leal
TMO: Stuart Terheege
Here are your Saints for a Gallagher PREM Play-Off under the FNL ✨https://t.co/Ah10HhrMLl pic.twitter.com/XqsQdrT4UI
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) June 11, 2026
Northampton Saints: 15. George Furbank (c), 14. Tommy Freeman, 13. Tom Litchfield, 12. Rory Hutchinson, 11. George Hendy, 10. Fin Smith, 9. Archie McParland; 1. Emmanuel Iyogun, 2. Curtis Langdon, 3. Elliot Millar Mills, 4. Alex Coles, 5. Ed Prowse, 6. Josh Kemeny, 7. Tom Pearson, 8. Henry Pollock.
Replacements: 16. Craig Wright, 17. Danilo Fischetti, 18. Luke Green, 19. JJ Van Der Mescht, 20. Tom Lockett, 21. Callum Chick, 22. Jonny Weimann, 23. Fraser Dingwall.
PREM Play-offs bound 🔥#COYT pic.twitter.com/bPCHEq3n2S
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) June 11, 2026
Leicester Tigers: 15. Freddie Steward, 14. Adam Radwan, 13. Will Wand, 12. Orlando Bailey, 11. Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10. Billy Searle, 9. Jack van Poortvliet; 1. Nicky Smith, 2. Jamie Blamire, 3. Joe Heyes, 4. George Martin, 5. Ollie Chessum, (c), 6. Hanro Liebenberg, 7. Tommy Reffell, 8. Joaquin Moro.
Replacements: 16. Charlie Clare, 17. Archie van der Flier, 18. Will Hurd, 19. Cameron Henderson, 20. Olly Cracknell, 21. Tom Whiteley, 22. Solomone Kata, 23. Izaia Perese.
- Saints boast the best tackle success rate in the Premiership at 78.5%, and their 197 dominant tackle contacts are also the highest in the league, making them the most formidable defensive unit in the competition.
- Tommy Reffell leads the league in total jackals with 15 and is also first for jackals per 80 minutes at 1.6, making him the most prolific turnover specialist at the breakdown in the Premiership this season.
