Five changes for Saints ahead of Sale Sharks trip

Northampton Saints head back into the Gallagher PREM this weekend, travelling to Sale Sharks for the final league match before the 2026 Guinness Six Nations gets underway.

Phil Dowson makes five changes to Saints’ line-up for the clash on Saturday (24 January, kick-off: 5.30pm), with Alex Coles, Tom Pearson, Callum Chick, Rory Hutchinson and George Hendy coming into the side that defeated Scarlets 43-28 last time out.

While Northampton have not tasted victory in Salford since March 2017, their last three trips to the CorpAcq Stadium have been decided by less than a single score, and the men in Black, Green and Gold will be going in search of their first season double over Sharks since the 2016/17 term following a 47-21 win back in Round 7.

Fraser Dingwall captains Saints from the centres again this weekend, joining incoming Hutchinson – who was named in Scotland’s squad for the Six Nations this week – in the midfield for the clash in Sale.

Hutchinson’s return allows for Tommy Freeman to shift back onto the wing in Round 10, joining Italy’s Edoardo Todaro – who made a league-high 149 metres in the last round – in the back three, with Hendy coming into the side at fullback.

Saints remain unchanged in the half-backs for their trip to Sale as British & Irish Lion Alex Mitchell partners Frenchman Anthony Belleau in Salford for the third week running.

Emmanuel Iyogun and Trevor Davison – who were both among eight Saints named in Steve Borthwick’s England squad earlier today – start at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively for Saints, with Scotland international Robbie Smith joining the England duo in the front row as he starts at hooker.

England lock Coles returns to Northampton’s second row this weekend to join in-form JJ Van Der Mescht there, while returning Pearson and Chick come into Saints’ starting XV alongside Josh Kemeny in the back row.

Saints opt for a six-two split on the bench in Salford, with space for internationals Danilo Fischetti, Elliot Millar Mills and Henry Pollock there – while Club captain George Furbank is also set to make his return from injury from amongst the replacements.

SALE SHARKS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Gallagher PREM, Round 10
Saturday 24 January, 2026
CorpAcq Stadium
Kick-off: 5.30pm

15 George Hendy
14 Tommy Freeman
13 Rory Hutchinson 
12 Fraser Dingwall (c)
11 Edoardo Todaro
10 Anthony Belleau
9 Alex Mitchell

1 Emmanuel Iyogun
2 Robbie Smith
3 Trevor Davison
4 Alex Coles
5 JJ Van Der Mescht
6 Josh Kemeny
7 Tom Pearson
8 Callum Chick

Replacements:
16 Craig Wright
17 Danilo Fischetti
18 Elliot Millar Mills
19 Ed Prowse
20 Tom Lockett
21 Henry Pollock
22 Archie McParland
23 George Furbank

Not considered for selection:
Emeka Atuanya, Will Glister, Curtis Langdon, Tom Litchfield, Fin Smith, and Tom West.

Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
Assistant referee: Hamish Smales and Henry Pearson
No.4: Iain Kiy
TMO: Peter Allan