Leicester Tigers XV vs Northampton Saints XV

Northampton Saints have named their XV for the first of two ‘Derby Day Double’ clashes against Leicester Tigers, with scrum-half Callum Braley leading the side at Mattioli Woods Welford Road this evening.

The men in Black, Green and Gold will lock horns with their East Midlands rivals twice this month; this evening (kick-off: 7pm) and again on Saturday 29 April (kick-off: 3pm) – with tickets still available for the showdown at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

Braley skippers Saints having also led the side during the Premiership Rugby Cup campaign this season, with James Grayson starting outside him at fly-half.

The back-line is dominated by Saints Academy players, with Toby Thame and Tom Litchfield lining up in the centres, while George Hendy is selected at fullback and Frankie Sleightholme gets an opportunity on the wing, opposite the experienced Courtnall Skosan.

Meanwhile in the pack, Mike Haywood returns at hooker with props Ed Prowse and Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi either side of him in the front row.

Alex Coles will get some minutes in his legs in the engine room alongside Academy player Emeka Atuanya, and Karl Wilkins, Craig Wright and No.8 Angus Scott-Young complete the line-up.

Amongst the replacements for Northampton, the likes of Tom James, Jake Garside, Tom Lockett and Brandon Nansen will hope to make an impact off the bench – and there is also room for four guest players from Bedford Blues in Lewis Holsey, Osman Dimen, Alex Woolford and Charles Rylands.

LEICESTER TIGERS XV vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS XVMonday 17 April 2023Mattioli Woods Welford Road

Kick-off: 7pm

15 George Hendy14 Frankie Sleightholme13 Tom Litchfield12 Toby Thame11 Courtnall Skosan10 James Grayson

1 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi2 Mike Haywood3 Ed Prowse4 Alex Coles5 Emeka Atuanya6 Karl Wilkins7 Craig Wright

8 Angus Scott-Young

Replacements:16 Callum Burns17 Lewis Holsey18 Osman Dimen19 Alex Woolford20 Brandon Nansen21 Tom Lockett22 Charles Rylands23 Jake Garside24 Tom James25 Matty Arden

26 Archie Kean

Saints XV vs Tigers XV – Saturday 29 April

Tickets for the return fixture at the Gardens – which Saints hope will provide a warm-up for the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals – are on sale now and available to purchase HERE from just £17*, with those aged 18 and under able to attend the match for just £1.

The match on home soil will be free to attend for all Northampton Saints 2022/23 Season Ticket Holders, with additional tickets available for just £10* across all ticket categories.

The game is also included free of charge for Seasonal Hospitality members as part of their current package.

Following the game, supporters will also enjoy a festival atmosphere on the hallowed Gardens turf as they can come onto the pitch and bid farewell to all players who are departing the Club this summer – with more entertainment following the presentations.