Saints vs Bristol

[jimKRFC]

Northampton Saints Team:
15 George Hendy; 14 Tom Seabrook, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 James Ramm;
10 Fin Smith, 9 Tom James; 1 Ethan Waller, 2 Curtis Langdon, 3 Trevor Davison; 4 Alex Moon, 5 Alex Coles; 6 Angus Scott-Young, 7 Tom Pearson, 8 Sam Graham (c).

Replacements:
16 Robbie Smith, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Elliot Millar-Mills,19 Tom Lockett, 20 Chunya Munga, 21 Archie McParland, 22 James Grayson, 23 Tom Litchfield

Bris:
15. Rich Lane (19 apps), 14. Noah Heward (6 apps), 13. Virimi Vakatawa (1 apps), 12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (4 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (21 apps), 10. Callum Sheedy (154 apps), 9. Harry Randall (105 apps); 1. Jake Woolmore (134 apps), 2. Harry Thacker (103 apps), 3. Max Lahiff (69 apps), 4. James Dun (17 apps), 5. Joe Batley (43 apps), 6. Fitz Harding (c) (55 apps), 7. Dan Thomas (131 apps), 8. Magnus Bradbury (25 apps).

Subs: 16. Will Capon (75 apps), 17. Sam Grahamslaw (debut), 18. George Kloska (32 apps), 19. Josh Caulfield (5 apps), 20. Jake Heenan (96 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (5 apps), 22. James Williams (21 apps), 23. Piers O’Conor (123 apps).

Think that's about as strong as we can go at present. Hopefully the pack and Sheedy can get BJVR and Vakatawa some front foot ball!

[FKAS]

Ah the Eddie Jones dream of Freeman at 13. Up against Vakatawa is certainly one way of testing the potential of it out.

[Banquo]

Ah the Eddie Jones dream of Freeman at 13. Up against Vakatawa is certainly one way of testing the potential of it out.

He played 13 against us...not that we were much cop v Saints, but he looked outstanding there. Cos he is an oustanding 'footballer' as the pundits say.

[FKAS]

Ah the Eddie Jones dream of Freeman at 13. Up against Vakatawa is certainly one way of testing the potential of it out.

He played 13 against us...not that we were much cop v Saints, but he looked outstanding there. Cos he is an oustanding 'footballer' as the pundits say.

He's a quality player. It'll be interesting to see how he gets on Vs a former international of some quality.

[Adam_P]

It's interesting especially as we signed Seabrook as a winger/centre, but we're obviously prioritising Freeman in the centre fill-in role.

Just as hard to call this game as last week against Sale. Bristol looked good last week - hopefully the home advantage of counts for something.

[fivepointer]

Freeman could be a hit at 13. Interesting to see how he goes.

Should be an entertaining game. These sides usually serve up some good rugby.

[Mellsblue]

Not good news for Litchfield that Freeman is ahead of him at 13.

[Banquo]

Not good news for Litchfield that Freeman is ahead of him at 13.

Litchfield has been at blues pre-league hasn't he?

[Adam_P]

I had high hopes when Litchfield first started to break through, but really feel like his progression has badly stalled. Looked like he could develop into a strong straight running carrier, but I haven't seen anything at the Premiership level to back up my initial optimism. I don't think he can feel hard done by that Freeman is preferred.

[fivepointer]

I had high hopes when Litchfield first started to break through, but really feel like his progression has badly stalled. Looked like he could develop into a strong straight running carrier, but I haven't seen anything at the Premiership level to back up my initial optimism. I don't think he can feel hard done by that Freeman is preferred.

This happens a lot, doesnt it? I thought Litchfield looked to have something but the last 2 seasons he's been treading water.

Maybe this is a clue - "The 21-year-old centre has started on nine occasions, but none of those have come in the Gallagher Premiership"

[Mellsblue]

Not good news for Litchfield that Freeman is ahead of him at 13.

Litchfield has been at blues pre-league hasn't he?

Yep, definitely once and possibly twice.

[Mellsblue]

Looked like he could develop into a strong straight running carrier

That might be the issue if that is how Northampton see him/are using him. All his appearances for Bedford in which I’ve seen him look good were at OC - I feel like he’s played IC more for Saints - and there were some outside arcs, cutting back at soft shoulders etc not a straight running carrier.

[Adam_P]

Therein probably lies his issue with meaningful game time - we have a lot more players who can fulfil that kind of role in the centres, far fewer/no hard carriers. Hopefully Odendaal will help there.