Lawes and Mitchell return ahead of Exeter Chiefs clash

Courtney Lawes and Alex Mitchell are set to make their first appearances of the season for Northampton Saints, as the pair of England internationals return to face Exeter Chiefs on Sunday.

The England duo – fresh from collecting a bronze medal at the Rugby World Cup – return as Saints take to the cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens turf again this weekend; Northampton come into the match just four points behind table-topping Chiefs after back-to-back wins, including a 24-18 victory over Bath last time out, propelled them up to fourth in the Gallagher Premiership rankings.

The men in Black, Green and Gold go in search of their third win in a row – something they have not achieved in the Premiership since February – with Phil Dowson making six changes to the starting line-up that defeated Bath as Exeter come to town.

Fraser Dingwall captains the side from Saints’ midfield, with Tommy Freeman shifting from the wing to start at outside centre on Sunday.

England international Mitchell joins fly-half Fin Smith in Saints’ half-backs to make his first appearance in a Northampton shirt this term. Meanwhile James Ramm returns from injury to start on the wing alongside Tom Seabrook, with in-form George Hendy moving to fullback for this match.

Paul Hill provides the only change to Saints’ front row, as the tighthead packs down alongside loosehead Alex Waller and hooker Curtis Langdon; and Alex Moon will make his eighth appearance of the season as he is partnered by Chunya Munga in Saints’ engine room.

Lawes – who announced his retirement from international rugby two weeks ago – makes his return in Northampton’s back row to join Angus Scott-Young and No.8 Sam Graham there, with Club captain Lewis Ludlam taking a week of mandatory rest following the Rugby World Cup.

Dowson names an experienced bench for the clash with Chiefs, with the likes of Trevor Davison, Alex Coles, Tom Pearson and Rory Hutchinson set to make an impact. Meanwhile hooker Sam Matavesi also prepares to make his first appearance in Black, Green and Gold of the season, after featuring for Fiji over the last few months.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs EXETER CHIEFS

Gallagher Premiership, Round 5

cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens

Kick-off: 3pm

15 George Hendy

14 Tom Seabrook

13 Tommy Freeman

12 Fraser Dingwall ©

11 James Ramm

10 Fin Smith

9 Alex Mitchell

1 Alex Waller

2 Curtis Langdon

3 Paul Hill

4 Alex Moon

5 Chunya Munga

6 Courtney Lawes

7 Angus Scott-Young

8 Sam Graham

Replacements:

16 Sam Matavesi

17 Ethan Waller

18 Trevor Davison

19 Alex Coles

20 Tom Pearson

21 Tom James

22 Rory Hutchinson

23 Tom Litchfield

Not available for selection:

Juarno Augustus, Toby Cousins, George Furbank, Emmanuel Iyogun, Tarek Haffar, Temo Mayanavanua, Burger Odendaal and Robbie Smith.