Preview: Northampton v Saracens

Northampton have named their team that will play in Saturday's Aviva Premiership game against Saracens at Franklin's Gardens.

Northampton Saints have named their team that will play in Saturday's Aviva Premiership showdown against Saracens at Franklin's Gardens.

It is the Saints' first domestic match in a month, and following four weeks of European and Anglo-Welsh competition director of rugby Jim Mallinder said today that the team is eager for the league to resume.

“We've had a bit of a break from the Premiership with the Heineken Cup and LV= Cup and we're really looking forward to getting back to the league,” he said.

“We know we will have to improve on last week's performance tomorrow because it will be tough. Saracens like to get on the front foot and like to play with width, which we know from our experiences last year.

“We will have to play at our very best. We were disappointed to concede against Leeds. In the second half we stepped up and we will need to do that this week.

“It's a big game. We know where we are in the league and we know where Saracens are, in a very similar position to us. We also know that if we win we will have four league points, and that's a massive motivation for us.”

Meanwhile, Saracens return to Aviva Premiership Rugby action as they make the short trip up the M1 to face Saints.

In team news ahead of the game, Schalk Brits, Carlos Nieto and Justin Melck return to the starting XV as does Brad Barritt following England Saxons duty.

Another Saxon, Andy Saull, is named on the bench along with the fit-again Michael Tagicakibau who has missed the past three weeks with a hamstring injury.

Form: Northampton are winless in their last four encounters with Saracens in all competitions. Saracens have won on four of their last six visits to Franklin's Gardens in the Premiership. Northampton Saints' only loss in their last four matches was 20-37 at London Irish in the Anglo Welsh Cup on 30 January. The Saints have suffered just one home defeat this season: 13-16 to Harlequins on New Year's Day. Saracens have won their last two games in the Anglo-Welsh Cup, whilst in Aviva Premiership Rugby the “fezboys” solo defeat in their last four matches was at Sale on 2 January.

The teams:

Northampton: 15 Greig Tonks, 14 Bruce Reihana, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Paul Diggin, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Ryan Powell, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Phil Dowson (capt), 6 Calum Clark, 5 Christian Day, 4 Dan Vickerman, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Brett Sharman, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Andy Long, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Tom Mercey, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Mark Easter, 21 Stuart Commins, 22 Shane Geraghty, 23 Scott Armstrong.

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Rodd Penney, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert (capt), 7 Jacques Burger, 6 Justin Melck, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Hayden Smith, 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Jared Saunders, 18 Matt Stevens, 19 Hugh Vyvyan, 20 Andy Saull, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Michael Tagicakibau, 23 James Short.

Date: Saturday, February 12
Kick-off: 12:30
Venue: Franklin's Gardens
Referee: Andrew Small