Three changes to Saints’ side to face Vodacom Bulls in Investec Champions Cup quarter-final

When the Vodacom Bulls visit Cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday, April 13, at 8 p.m., in the Investec Champions Cup quarterfinals, Phil Dowson makes three changes to his Northampton Saints lineup.

With a thrilling 24-14 victory over Munster Rugby last Saturday, the men in black, green, and gold booked their spot in the competition’s final eight. The victory was sealed by two late goals from George Hendy for Saints, which was witnessed by a boisterous Gardens crowd.

In the competition, Northampton will play in their first quarterfinal since 2020, when Saints will visit Exeter Chiefs behind closed doors and take on the Bulls for the first time in the two teams’ combined history.

The three players who start for the Saints this week are Juarno Augustus, Alex Mitchell, and Hendy. All three started last week’s game on the bench.

Hendy, who won the game the previous weekend, begins in Northampton’s back three with winger Ollie Sleightholme and fullback James Ramm. Tommy Freeman moves into the Saints’ centers to partner Fraser Dingwall.

Emmanuel Iyogun, Curtis Langdon, and Trevor Davison remain in the Saints’ front row, while Alex Moon and Alex Coles team up in the engine room behind them. Northampton names an unaltered tight five.

Courtney Lawes captains Saints from the back row, and is joined by Sam Graham and incoming No.8 Augustus to complete the starting XV.

There’s a welcome return among Saints’ replacements as George Furbank makes his comeback from injury, with the likes of Sam Matavesi, Alex Waller, Lewis Ludlam and Tom James also named on Saints’ bench.