Director of Rugby Chris Boyd has made four changes to Northampton Saints’ starting XV as the men in Black, Green and Gold welcome Bath Rugby on Saturday afternoon.

The West Country outfit have proved a difficult side for Saints to overcome in recent seasons, with Northampton’s last win over Bath coming back in February 2019 – but of the last six meetings between the sides at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, it has been honours even with three wins apiece and four of those games were decided by one score or less.

Saints moved into the Gallagher Premiership’s top four with a thrilling bonus-point win over Bristol Bears last time out, and make just one change to their back line as Rory Hutchinson returns to the centres to partner Fraser Dingwall, with Matt Proctor ruled out through injury.

That means the back three of George Furbank, Tommy Freeman and Courtnall Skosan continue for Saints, with Dan Biggar and the in-form Alex Mitchell – who with four scores and seven assists has been directly involved in the most Premiership tries of any player so far this season – filling the half-back berths.

Two of Saints’ three changes to the pack come in the front row; Alex Waller is selected again at loosehead prop, but hooker Sam Matavesi and tighthead Ehren Painter both return to the starting XV.

David Ribbans and Alex Moon continue their partnership in the engine room, while Karl Wilkins comes into the back row for Northampton to play alongside skipper Lewis Ludlam and Juarno Augustus at No.8.

Meanwhile, amongst Saints’ replacements Alex Coles is set to make his 50th appearance for the Club if he enters the action, plus Ollie Sleightholme also returns from injury and will hope to make an impact from the bench.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs BATH RUGBY

Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 10

Saturday 4 December 2021

cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens

Kick-off: 3pm

15 George Furbank

14 Tommy Freeman

13 Fraser Dingwall

12 Rory Hutchinson

11 Courtnall Skosan

10 Dan Biggar

9 Alex Mitchell

1 Alex Waller

2 Sam Matavesi

3 Ehren Painter

4 David Ribbans

5 Alex Moon

6 Karl Wilkins

7 Lewis Ludlam (c)

8 Juarno Augustus

Replacements:

16 James Fish

17 Nick Auterac

18 Paul Hill

19 Api Ratuniyarawa

20 Alex Coles

21 Tom James

22 Tom Litchfield

23 Ollie Sleightholme

Not considered for selection:

Callum Burns, Piers Francis, Teimana Harrison, Oisín Heffernan, Courtney Lawes, Dani Long-Martinez, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Matt Proctor, and Kayde Sylvester.

Referee: Karl Dickson

Assistant Referees: John Meredith and Phil Watters

No.4: Alex Thomas

TMO: Rowan Kitt