Saints vs Bristol - Sat 3pm

[Puja]

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs BRISTOL BEARS
Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 8
Saturday 29 October 2022
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3pm

15 George Hendy
14 Matt Proctor
13 Fraser Dingwall (c)
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Ollie Sleightholme
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell

1 Emmanuel Iyogun
2 Mike Haywood
3 Paul Hill
4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
5 Alex Moon
6 Sam Graham
7 Aaron Hinkley
8 Juarno Augustus

Replacements:
16 Sam Matavesi
17 Ethan Waller
18 Alfie Petch
19 Brandon Nansen
20 Angus Scott-Young
21 Tom James
22 James Grayson
23 Tom Collins

Not considered for selection:
Matthew Arden, Dan Biggar, Tommy Freeman, Aston Gradwick-Light, Ethan Grayson, Courtney Lawes, George Patten, and Karl Wilkins.

International duty:
Alex Coles, George Furbank, Lewis Ludlam, and David Ribbans.

Referee: Hamish Smales
Assistant Referees: Greg Macdonald and Phil Watters
No.4: Gareth Holsgrove
TMO: David Rose

BRISTOL TEAM TO PLAY SAINTS
15 Charles Piutau, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 Sam Bedlow, 11 Henry Purdy, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Andy Uren; 1 Jake Woolmore, 2 Harry Thacker, 3 Max Lahiff, 4 Joe Batley, 5 Joe Joyce (c), 6 Magnus Bradbury, 7 Sam Lewis, 8 Fitz Harding.
Replacements: 16 Will Capon, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 Jay Tyack, 19 Chris Vui, 20 Jake Heenan, 21 Will Porter, 22 AJ MacGinty, 23 Jack Bates.

[Puja]

In a move that shocks no-one, Fin Smith debuts for Saints, given the rumours of imminent Biggexit. Bit of a sink or swim moment - going from lower table club, to unemployed, to joining a big club as a project for the future, to "SURPRISE! You're now the first choice 10 for a playoff-chasing club - go well!"

I mean, I think he's got the skills to cope with it, but it's a hell of a transition.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Quite a statement selection from Saints to start with Smith. They could put him on the bench. Its bold and i hope it comes off. He's got some very good players around him to help him settle. Nice to see Hendy getting a start.
Porter on the Bristol bench. So too Tyack, who was at Worcester.

[Banquo]

Haywood starting is odd. Saints somewhat denuded.

[jimKRFC]

Bristol look so much less of a threat without Genge and Sinkler! Also, didn't realise that Tyack was on trial, but with 5 props out unavailable i guess we needed someone in. 100th appearances for P'OC and Vyu - fingers crossed we get the win.

Hopefully we start seeing Siva back soon - apparently he's now running over 10m/s in training but he's heavier than ever as well.

[FKAS]

Great to see young Fin Smith get a go. We know the Saints love to attack but applying control and territorial tactics are going to be on his shoulders as it is a Saints weakness. If he keeps the attack going and brings the tactical stability then a lot of the Saints management team will feel a lot better about the prospect of Biggxit. Of course if he manages to do that for a few games running both Eddie and Gregor will be in contact as both could do with another flyhalf option with Fin's level of potential. I seriously think he'll be leading a team into the 2027 world cup.

I wonder if Haywood starting at hooker is reflective of Saints not playing a hybrid lock/flanker type at 6, maybe they feel with one jumper less his throwing is just that bit more accurate.

[Banquo]

decent start from saints looking at scoreline!!

[jimKRFC]

This is shocking... 0-7 to 31 - 7 is just appalling.

Hate to pile in on the coach but after the last few games some big questions need to be asked of Lam and the coaching set up.

[Shiny]

Typical of Saints after half time to go down quicker than a prop on a see saw. Glad they stuck it out though and a good first game from Smith.