Preview: Northampton v Bath

Northampton have named an unchanged XV for their top-of-the-table Aviva Premiership clash with Bath at Franklin's Gardens.

Northampton have named an identical starting XV for their top-of-the-table Aviva Premiership clash with Bath.

The only change in the 23 is on the bench with Ryan Powell taking over from Stuart Commins.

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder has identified Friday's game at Franklin's Gardens as both tough and challenging.

“Bath have started the season really well and deserve plenty of respect,” he said.

“They like to play the game the same way that we do, have a very strong set piece and backs who can break the defensive line.

“We had two very close games against them last season which went right down to the final whistle and it wouldn't be surprising if it was close again tomorrow night.

“But we have taken a lot of belief from our first two games. We have scored some good tries, defended well at times and have a good team spirit in the squad. We will need all of that at Franklin's Gardens.”

Meanwhile, Bath have made five changes and Andy Beattie joins Lewis Moody and Luke Watson in the back row, Pieter Dixon and David Barnes join David Wilson in the front row, Tom Biggs starts on the wing, and summer signing Mark McMillan makes his first start for the Club at scrum-half.

Bath defence and skills coach Brad Davis is looking forward to a tough encounter, and believes the team deserves the results they have had so far.

“It's been a promising start and to get two wins out of two is testament to the hard work of the players. They have been two performances that showed a lot of character, and the guys should take full credit for that,” he said.

“It was definitely tough on Saturday, as the two defences essentially cancelled each other out. I thought we showed great determination to come back from behind late on and get the win.

“Looking ahead to Northampton, again it is another top of the table clash and we are all looking forward to the match. We are going there full of confidence this season. We are confident in our game and the processes we have in place.

“Every time we have been up to Northampton it's a near full house and the supporters really get behind their team, which makes it a really interesting and entertaining game for the players and the coaching staff.”

Form: Something has to give between the only two teams remaining with 100 per cent winning starts to the season. Northampton Saints have never begun a Premiership season with three successive wins. Franklin's Gardens hosts only its 5th Friday Premiership game, in which Saints have been defeated just once: against the Tigers in April 2006. Bath Rugby have not started a season with three successive victories since 2003/04, whilst the last side other than Leicester to beat Bath in the Premiership was Northampton at Franklin's Gardens last December. The Saints have won only one of their last five encounters with Bath, whilst Bath's solo victory against Northampton at Franklin's Gardens in the Premiership was 17-13 on 22 April 2000, although Bath did win a Premiership game there against Saracens in November 2004.

The teams:

Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Phil Dowson, 5 Christian Day, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Dylan Hartley (capt), 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Regardt Dreyer, 18 Euan Murray, 19 Calum Clark, 20 Mark Easter, 21 Ryan Powell, 22 Stephen Myler, 23 Joe Ansbro.

Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Matt Carraro, 13 Shontayne Hape, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Sam Vesty, 9 Mark McMillan, 8 Luke Watson (capt), 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Andy Beattie, 5 Danny Grewcock, 4 Stuart Hooper, 3 David Wilson, 2 Pieter Dixon, 1 David Barnes.
Replacements: 16 Ross Batty, 17 Nathan Catt, 18 Duncan Bell, 19 Ben Skirving, 20 Josh Ovens, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Ben Williams, 23 Jack Cuthbert.

Date: Friday, September 17
Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Venue: Franklin's Gardens
Referee: Chris White