Northampton v Irish Sat 2pm

[fivepointer]

Northampton: Furbank; Sleightholme, Proctor, Dingwall, Collins; Biggar, Mitchell; Auterac, Matavesi, Hill, Ribbans, Ratuniyarawa, Wood, Ludlam (capt), Augustus.

Replacements: Fish, Waller, Painter, Coles, Lawes, Harrison, Lomani, Freeman.

London Irish: Parton; Loader, Rona, Van Rensburg, Hassell-Collins; Jackson, Phipps; Goodrick-Clarke, Creevy, Hoskins, Simmons, Coleman, Rogerson (capt), Donnell, Tuisue.

Replacements: Cornish, Dell, Van der Merwe, Nott, Mafi, O'Brien, White, Williams.

[Scrumhead]

I reckon this one might be the game of the round. Interesting to see how Augustus does on his first start.

[Peej]

Is Grayson injured?

[Puja]

Is Grayson injured?

Doesn't appear so. Think it's just a deliberate 6:2 bench with Furbank offering 10 cover.

Puja

[Peej]

A slightly strange choice. Biggar hasn't played much rugby, and Furbank has been great at 15.

[Adam_P]

Boyd doesn't seem to like having a specialist 10 on the bench - whether it's Biggar or Grayson starting they tend to play the whole game and if they're replaced will be covered by players like Furbank, Francis or Hutchinson.

This promises to be a very entertaining game, both teams are playing nice rugby. Shame its not on TV. Like the look of this Saints pack, especially back row. I'm also liking the Dingwall Proctor pairing in the centres, very solid.

[Raggs]

This should just be a straight win for Saints right? I'd expect Irish to score a few, but Saints to score a lot more. As long as they don't fall asleep like Sale.

[FKAS]

Boyd doesn't seem to like having a specialist 10 on the bench - whether it's Biggar or Grayson starting they tend to play the whole game and if they're replaced will be covered by players like Furbank, Francis or Hutchinson.

Ordinarily not much of a problem with that tactic but Biggar didn't finish the Lions tour in good shape. Well he didn't start it in good shape either, there was a lot of strapping around his knee. Hopefully he's fully fit and not back to early. If he does feel it niggle then that 6-2 bench will leave Saints short if there's any other injuries.

[Puja]

Boyd doesn't seem to like having a specialist 10 on the bench - whether it's Biggar or Grayson starting they tend to play the whole game and if they're replaced will be covered by players like Furbank, Francis or Hutchinson.

Ordinarily not much of a problem with that tactic but Biggar didn't finish the Lions tour in good shape. Well he didn't start it in good shape either, there was a lot of strapping around his knee. Hopefully he's fully fit and not back to early. If he does feel it niggle then that 6-2 bench will leave Saints short if there's any other injuries.

Mind, Lomani is a useful player to have for a 6:2 split, as he's comfortable at 9 or wing. Don't quite know who's their centre cover if Dingwall or Proctor go down - Collins maybe?

Puja

[Adam_P]

I'd think Freeman could do a job in the centre

[FKAS]

I'd have thought Furbank would do a job at centre if need be.

[Mikey Brown]

Wow. Tuisue really is a moron.