As the Northampton Saints gear up for their weekend clash against Sale Sharks, there’s an air of anticipation in the Gallagher Premiership. This match on Saturday, January 24th, marks their final league encounter before the highly anticipated 2026 Guinness Six Nations kicks off.
In an effort to bolster the squad, head coach Phil Dowson has implemented five significant changes to the team lineup following their recent victory over Scarlets, where they triumphed with an impressive score of 43-28. New faces making their way into the lineup include Alex Coles, Tom Pearson, Callum Chick, Rory Hutchinson, and George Hendy.
Historically, the Saints have struggled at Salford, having not secured a win there since March 2017. Yet, it's worth noting that their last three visits to CorpAcq Stadium were nail-biters, ending with a margin of less than a single score. The Saints are aiming to achieve a season double against the Sharks for the first time since the 2016/17 season, having bested them 47-21 earlier in Round 7.
Fraser Dingwall will once again captain the team from the center position, partnering with Hutchinson, who has just been selected for Scotland's Six Nations squad, making this match even more exciting given the stakes involved.
With Hutchinson back in the fold, Tommy Freeman is set to return to the wing, complementing Italy’s Edoardo Todaro, who showcased his skills by racking up a league-high 149 meters in the last match. Hendy is stepping in at fullback to complete the backline.
The half-back pairing remains unchanged as well, with the dynamic duo of British & Irish Lion Alex Mitchell and French international Anthony Belleau continuing to collaborate effectively for their third consecutive match.
On the front line, Emmanuel Iyogun and Trevor Davison, both of whom were named among eight Saints in Steve Borthwick’s latest England squad announcement, will start at loosehead and tighthead prop, respectively. They’ll be joined by Scotland’s Robbie Smith at hooker, rounding out a formidable front row.
Coles returns to strengthen the second row alongside the in-form JJ Van Der Mescht. Additionally, Pearson and Chick will join Josh Kemeny in the back row as they aim to put pressure on the opposition.
For this match, the Saints have opted for a bench split of six forwards and two backs, allowing room for internationals Danilo Fischetti, Elliot Millar Mills, and Henry Pollock. Club captain George Furbank is also set to make his much-anticipated return from injury, adding depth to the squad from the bench.
Match Details:
SALE SHARKS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Gallagher Premiership, Round 10
Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
Location: CorpAcq Stadium
Kick-off: 5:30 PM
Starting XV:
15. George Hendy
14. Tommy Freeman
13. Rory Hutchinson
12. Fraser Dingwall (c)
11. Edoardo Todaro
10. Anthony Belleau
9. Alex Mitchell
1. Emmanuel Iyogun
2. Robbie Smith
3. Trevor Davison
4. Alex Coles
5. JJ Van Der Mescht
6. Josh Kemeny
7. Tom Pearson
8. Callum Chick
Bench:
16. Craig Wright
17. Danilo Fischetti
18. Elliot Millar Mills
19. Ed Prowse
20. Tom Lockett
21. Henry Pollock
22. Archie McParland
23. George Furbank
Not Selected:
Emeka Atuanya, Will Glister, Curtis Langdon, Tom Litchfield, Fin Smith, and Tom West.
SALE SHARKS LINEUP:
15. Joe Carpenter
14. Tom O’Flaherty
13. Rob du Preez
12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White
11. Alex Wills
10. George Ford
9. Raffi Quirke
1. Bevan Rodd
2. Nathan Jibulu
3. James Harper
4. Ernst van Rhyn
5. Ban Bamber
6. Jacques Vermeulen
7. Sam Dugdale
8. Tom Curry
Replacements:
16. Ethan Caine
17. Si McIntyre
18. Patreece Bell
19. Tom Burrow
20. Jos Gilmore
21. Gus Warr
22. Marius Louw
23. Arron Reed
Officials:
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
Assistant Referees: Hamish Smales, Henry Pearson
TMO: Peter Allan
This upcoming match promises excitement and intensity as both teams strive for victory. Will the Saints break their losing streak at Salford? Or will the Sharks maintain their home dominance? Share your thoughts on how you see this match unfolding!
