Saints Announce Five Changes for Upcoming Newcastle Cup Clash
Northampton Saints are set to face Newcastle Red Bulls in the PREM Rugby Cup on February 20, 2026. Head coach Phil Dowson has announced five changes to his lineup as Saints aim to boost their chances of reaching the semi-finals.
Match Overview
This important clash will kick off at 7:45 PM at Kingston Park. Currently, the Saints sit second in Pool B, trailing only the Leicester Tigers. With two matches left, they need at least six points to secure a semi-final spot.
Recent Performance
In their last outing, the Saints made a remarkable comeback, defeating Harlequins 40-24 at Twickenham Stoop. A standout performance came from Archie McParland, who scored a hat-trick. However, they earlier lost to Newcastle in their first encounter this season, which makes this match critical for their aspirations.
Lineup Changes
- Chunya Munga will take over captaincy, leading the team from the second row.
- Ed Prowse, Robbie Smith, and Sam Graham are new additions to the starting lineup.
- Tom James makes his first start of the season at scrum-half, partnering with fly-half Anthony Belleau.
- James Martin will start at fullback, marking his second start this season.
Full Starting XV
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 15 | James Martin |
| 14 | Ollie Sleightholme |
| 13 | Tom Litchfield |
| 12 | Toby Thame |
| 11 | Amena Caqusau |
| 10 | Anthony Belleau |
| 9 | Tom James |
| 1 | Tom West |
| 2 | Robbie Smith |
| 3 | Luke Green |
| 4 | Ed Prowse |
| 5 | Chunya Munga (c) |
| 6 | Archie Benson |
| 7 | Charlie Ulcoq |
| 8 | Sam Graham |
Bench and Availability
The Saints will feature a five-three bench configuration, including Craig Wright, McParland, and George Hendy. Youth player Jack Lewis is poised for a second senior appearance at just 17 years old.
Several players are unavailable due to various reasons, including international duty and injuries, with notable absences such as Emeka Atuanya and Will Glister.
Newcastle Red Bulls Team
Newcastle will put forward a strong lineup against the Saints. The team captain, George McGuigan, leads a list of talents that include Brett Connon and Harrison Obatoyinbo.
This upcoming match will be pivotal for both teams. The Saints are determined to correct their earlier loss and secure their place in the competition’s semi-finals.
