2020-21 Premiership Rugby – Northampton Saints vs London Irish Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Northampton Saints vs London Irish taking place? Saturday 17th April, 2021 – 12:30 (UK)
Where is Northampton Saints vs London Irish taking place? Franklin's Gardens, Northampton
Where can I get tickets for Northampton Saints vs London Irish? Check official club websites for information about purchasing tickets
What television channel is Northampton Saints vs London Irish on? BT Sport have the rights to televise Gallagher Premiership matches so it is worth checking their schedule
Where can I stream Northampton Saints vs London Irish? If televised on BT Sport, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE TEAM NEWS
Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank, 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Fraser Dingwall, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Tom Collins, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Teimana Harrison, 7 Lewis Ludlam (c), 6 Nick Isiekwe, 5 Alex Moon, 4 David Ribbans, 3 Paul Hill, 2 Mike Haywood, 1 Nick Auterac
Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Ehren Painter, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Tom Wood, 21 Tom James, 22 Rory Hutchinson, 23 Ahsee Tuala
London Irish: 15 Tom Parton, 14 Ben Loader, 13 James Stokes, 12 Terrence Hepetema, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Albert Tuisue, 7 Blair Cowan (c), 6 Ben Donnell, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Chunya Munga, 3 Lovejoy Chawatama, 2 Motu Matu’u, 1 Allan Dell
Replacements: 16 Matt Cornish, 17 Harry Elrington, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 George Nott, 20 Matt Rogerson, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Phil Cokanasiga, 23 Tom Homer
THE PREDICTION
Both Northampton Saints and London Irish won their first European Challenge Cup fixtures against Pro14 opposition in Dragons and Cardiff Blues, respectively, before losing out in the quarter-finals. Northampton were combative but ultimately outclassed 27-35 at home by Ulster last weekend whilst London Irish were well beaten 26-13 at Bath, and those performances should translate well into this Premiership encounter. The Exiles have only lost two Premiership matches in 2021 but their best work has been at home and the Saints should be able to turn the screw at the key moments of this match to cover -6 at Franklin's Gardens.
