Director of Rugby Chris Boyd has named his Northampton Saints side to take on Exeter Chiefs on Sunday, making five changes to his starting line-up this weekend.

The men in Black, Green and Gold welcome the West Country outfit to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens for a crucial Gallagher Premiership clash (kick-off: 1pm) – with the two sides separated by just four points in the tightly-contested race for the top four.

Saints edged an enthralling clash 26-24 at Sandy Park when they faced Exeter earlier this term, and are bidding to record their first season’s double over the Chiefs since 2013/14 to propel themselves back towards the play-off places.

Fraser Dingwall leads out Saints and will line-up at inside centre, with Matt Proctor continuing in the No.13 jersey alongside him.

There is a reshuffle in the back three however as Tom Collins comes in to start on the wing, and Courtnall Skosan – the Premiership’s joint-leading try-scorer so far this season – keeps his place in the side as George Furbank moves from fly-half to fullback.

That makes room for James Grayson to start a league match for the first time since November, while Alex Mitchell continues his run in the No.9 jersey at scrum-half.

There are four changes in Northampton’s pack for the weekend with Mike Haywood coming into the front row at hooker to join props Emmanuel Iyogun and Ehren Painter, as Sam Matavesi starts at flanker for the first time in Black, Green and Gold.

Alex Coles and No.8 Karl Wilkins round off the back row, while Api Ratuniyarawa is restored to the starting line-up for Sunday’s clash and joins David Ribbans in the engine room.

Tom James returns from injury and is named amongst the replacements for the hosts, with the likes of Alex Waller, Paul Hill and Piers Francis also providing plenty of experience for Saints on the bench.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs EXETER CHIEFS

Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Round 18

Sunday 27 February 2022

cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens

Kick-off: 1pm

15 George Furbank

14 Courtnall Skosan

13 Matt Proctor

12 Fraser Dingwall (capt)

11 Tom Collins

10 James Grayson

9 Alex Mitchell

1 Emmanuel Iyogun

2 Mike Haywood

3 Ehren Painter

4 David Ribbans

5 Api Ratuniyarawa

6 Alex Coles

7 Sam Matavesi

8 Karl Wilkins

Replacements:

16 James Fish

17 Alex Waller

18 Paul Hill

19 Alex Moon

20 Brandon Nansen

21 JJ Tonks

22 Tom James

23 Piers Francis

Not considered for selection:

Matthew Arden, Emeka Atuanya, Juarno Augustus, Tommy Freeman, Jake Garside, Teimana Harrison, Oisín Heffernan, Rory Hutchinson, Tom Lockett, Lewis Ludlam, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Ollie Sleightholme, Kayde Sylvester, and Tom Wood.

International duty:

Dan Biggar (Wal), Ethan Grayson (Eng U20), Courtney Lawes (Eng)

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys

Assistant referees: Sara Cox and Michael Hudson

No.4: Ryan Collier

TMO: Andrew Jackson