Two changes for Saints ahead of Bulls game

Phil Dowson makes just two changes to his Northampton Saints side as they head into Round 2 of the Investec Champions Cup, with Vodacom Bulls the guests at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday (14 December, kick-off: 3.15pm). 

Ollie Sleightholme’s return provides the singular change to Saints’ backs as the winger recovers from injury to feature in Black, Green and Gold for the first time in three weeks, while Henry Pollock also shifts into the starting XV this weekend at No.8.

Northampton take on Bulls for the third time in as many seasons, and go in search for their third consecutive win – having defeated their South African guests both at home and away in 2024, first winning 59-22 at cinch Stadium before claiming a historic 30-21 victory at Loftus Versfeld. 

Saints occupy second in Pool 4 after opening their account with a 27-35 win over Section Paloise, sitting behind leaders Union Bordeaux-Bégles on points difference alone, and will be looking to make it two from two in the competition this Sunday. 

The returning Sleightholme is joined by last weekend’s match-winning try-scorer George Hendy on Saints’ other wing, while Club captain George Furbank leads Northampton from fullback on Sunday. 

Saints name an all-international centre pairing against the Bulls, with Fraser Dingwall and Rory Hutchinson both staying on in the midfield, and British & Irish Lions duo Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith man Saints’ half-back berths for the second week running.

An unchanged front row of Danilo Fischetti, Craig Wright and Trevor Davison start for Northampton on Sunday, with Alex Coles and JJ Van Der Mescht also reprising their roles at lock. 

British & Irish Lion Pollock starts at No.8 for Northampton for the second time this season, with flankers Josh Kemeny and Tom Pearson featuring alongside him in the back row to complete the starting line-up. 

Saints opt for a six-two bench again for the Bulls clash, with the likes of Cleopas Kundiona, Ed Prowse, Sam Graham and Toby Thame all set to enter the action at cinch Stadium. 

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs VODACOM BULLS
Investec Champions Cup, Round 2
Sunday 14 December, 2025
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3.15pm

15 George Furbank (c)
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Rory Hutchinson
12 Fraser Dingwall
11 George Hendy
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell

1 Danilo Fischetti
2 Craig Wright
3 Trevor Davison
4 Alex Coles
5 JJ Van Der Mescht
6 Josh Kemeny
7 Tom Pearson
8 Henry Pollock

Replacements:
16 Robbie Smith
17 Emmanuel Iyogun
18 Cleopas Kundiona
19 Chunya Munga
20 Ed Prowse
21 Sam Graham
22 Tom James
23 Toby Thame

BULLS TEAM TO FACE SAINTS:
15 Devon Williams, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Zak Burger; 1 Alu Tshakweni, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 3 Mornay Smith, 4 Cobus Wiese, 5 JF van Heerden, 6 Marcell Coetzee (capt), 7 Reinhardt Ludwig, 8 Elrigh Louw. 
Replacements: 16 Juann Else, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Khuta Mchunu, 19 Mpilo Gumede, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 PA van Niekerk.

Not considered for selection:
Emeka Atuanya, Tommy Freeman, Will Glister, Curtis Langdon, Tom Litchfield, Tom Lockett, James Ramm, Edoardo Todaro, Charlie Ulcoq, and Tom West.

Referee: Hollie Davidson (SCO)
Assistant referees: Rob McDowell and David Sutherland (SCO)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SCO)