RECAP: Northampton Saints and London Irish

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the Premiership Round Nine encounter between Northampton Saints and London Irish at Franklin’s Gardens.

Northampton Saints have won their last four matches in all competitions since tripping up 10-22 at Sale in round 6 of Premiership Rugby.

*MATCH REPORT: Saints v Exiles 

The Saints have won their last five Premiership Rugby fixtures at Franklin’s Gardens since losing there 31-40 to Gloucester in April.

London Irish have lost their last seven matches in all competitions since their 27-all draw at Bristol in round 5 of Premiership Rugby. The Exiles solitary away win in Premiership Rugby this season was against Wasps at Ricoh Arena on the opening weekend.

* To read our entire Round Six preview, CLICK HERE!

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Teams:

Northampton Saints: 15 Ahsee Tuala, 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 James Grayson, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Mitch Eadie, 7 Teimana Harrison (captain), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Api Ratuniyarawa, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Mike Haywood, 1 Ben Franks

Replacements: 16 James Fish, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Ehren Painter, 19 Lewis Bean, 20 JJ Tonks, 21 Henry Taylor, 22 Andrew Symons, 23 Tom Collins

London Irish: 15 James Stokes, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Terrence Hepetema, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Ben Meehan, 8 Albert Tuisue, 7 Blair Cowan, 6 Matt Rogerson, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Franco van der Merwe (captain), 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Dave Porecki, 1 Harry Elrington

Replacements: 16 Ben Atkins, 17 Allan Dell, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Steve Mafi, 20 Ben Donnell, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Tom Stephenson, 23 Matt Williams

Referee: Tom Foley

Assistant Referees: Anthony Woodthorpe & Andrew Jackson.

TMO: Rowan Kitt.