Courtney Lawes to lead Northampton in Premiership semi-final against Saracens

Former England second row Courtney Lawes will be captaining Northampton Saints in the upcoming Premiership semi-final against Saracens to be played cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday.

This will also be the last outing for Lawes at the home ground of the Saints as he is part of the back row that also has Tom Pearson and Juarno Augustus.

Alex Coles and Alex Moon have been the preferred locks for the knock out encounter while hooker Curtis Langdon and tighthead prop Trevor Davison join Waller in the front row.

Fin Smith will take the kicking duty with Alex Mitchell, who has assisted more tries than any other player in the Premiership this season joining him at halfback.

Ollie Sleighthome and Tommy Freeman start at wings while Fraser Dingwall and Burger Odendaal form midfield combination with George Furbank at fullback.

Sam Matasevi, Emmanuel Iyogun, Elliot Millar Mills, Temo Mayanavanua, Sam Graham, Lewis Ludlam, Tom James and George Hendy have been named on the bench.

Northampton XV:

15 George Furbank
14 Tommy Freeman
13 Burger Odendaal
12 Fraser Dingwall
11 Ollie Sleightholme
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell

1 Alex Waller
2 Curtis Langdon
3 Trevor Davison
4 Alex Moon
5 Alex Coles
6 Courtney Lawes (c)
7 Tom Pearson
8 Juarno Augustus

Reserves:

16 Sam Matavesi
17 Emmanuel Iyogun
18 Elliot Millar Mills
19 Temo Mayanavanua
20 Sam Graham
21 Lewis Ludlam
22 Tom James
23 George Hendy