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#Post#: 146987--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team News: Dombrandt starts as five changes made for Saints
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: January 2, 2026, 7:19 am
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--- Quote from: mrpj1985 link ---
>
> Was thinking similar, along with Jamie Benson.
> Jarrod Evans is many things, I don't think 12 is one of them.
>
--- End Quote ---
I suppose with the 6/2 split it limits things, but then again
Bradley only covers one position. Kerr or even Hayden Hyde would
have - in theory - made sense.
Happy with Friday, but I'd have started Bradley as an out an out
centre and had Benson on the bench
Marcus needs a hard running 12 really to be effective and Jarrod
isn't that. That said, Luke isn't featherweight and it hasn't
worked either.
#Post#: 146988--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team News: Dombrandt starts as five changes made for Saints
DIR By: FrostAndFire
Date: January 2, 2026, 7:30 am
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There was a recent game (can't remember which) where Marcus
played 10 and Jarrod played 12, and it went quite well. We'll
see if it was a fluke.
Other than that, I don't expect us to win, but I really do want
to see a proper performance with a clear idea of how we're
actually trying to play and taking at least one point out of the
game.
#Post#: 146989--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team News: Dombrandt starts as five changes made for Saints
DIR By: A222Quin
Date: January 2, 2026, 8:02 am
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We're gonna get mullered!
#Post#: 146993--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team News: Dombrandt starts as five changes made for Saints
DIR By: never sleep
Date: January 2, 2026, 8:17 am
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--- Quote from: A222Quin link ---
>
> We're gonna get mullered!
>
--- End Quote ---
The traditional reply is:
We should have enough to see that lot off
But - I'm not really that optmistic
#Post#: 146994--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team News: Dombrandt starts as five changes made for Saints
DIR By: FatQuin
Date: January 2, 2026, 8:26 am
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The upside of our current form is that I don’t worry about who
gets picked as it doesn’t seem to make any difference to the
performance or the results. I have no expectations from this
one, will have it on in the background just in case and then
(probably) join everyone on here afterwards to bemoan the
continued demise of our team.
#Post#: 146995--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team News: Dombrandt starts as five changes made for Saints
DIR By: Quinten Poulsen
Date: January 2, 2026, 8:27 am
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Realistically a mullering is indeed the very likely outcome. I
guess I'd just be happy to see Quins play with more cohesion,
energy and commitment, particularly in defence and at the
breakdown - I don't want to see any ambling players or expecting
someone else to do the grunt work. Other than that there's not
really much for us to lick our lips about... Friday starting is
welcome, best wishes to him. Hobson continuing to get experience
in very tough circumstances; Williams off the bench - looked
more robust and mature than his age at U18 level so really
hoping he looks at home during however many minutes he gets. I
also hope he's seen as a back rower and not a lock.
#Post#: 146998--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team News: Dombrandt starts as five changes made for Saints
DIR By: Brown Bottle
Date: January 2, 2026, 8:43 am
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Director of Rugby Phil Dowson has named his first Northampton
Saints side of 2026, as the men in Black, Green and Gold
kick-off the New Year by welcoming Harlequins on Saturday (3
January, kick-off: 5.30pm).
The Round 9 clash will be an 11th consecutive PREM sell-out at
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, and the sides’ second
meeting in Northampton this term – with Saints running out 26-17
victors in the PREM Rugby Cup fixture back in November.
Northampton’s 21-41 victory over Bath Rugby propelled them to
the top of the PREM standings at the close of 2025, and Dowson’s
side will be hoping to maintain that position going into 2026 as
he makes nine changes to his starting XV for the visit of Quins.
Saints name an unchanged back three, with George Hendy starting
at fullback in Round 9 and joining last weekend’s wing pairing
of Edoardo Todaro and James Ramm there.
British & Irish Lion Tommy Freeman – who tops the league’s
try-scoring stats with eight in as many rounds – retains his
position at outside centre for Saints after producing a
man-of-the-match performance against Bath, with England
international Fraser Dingwall returning to captain Northampton.
Two of Saints’ other Lions, Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith, reprise
their roles at half-back against Quins, as they start at
scrum-half and fly-half respectively.
Italy loosehead Danilo Fischetti and Scotland tighthead Elliot
Millar Mills start at prop for Saints, and they join hooker
Robbie Smith in the front row.
In-form lock duo of Alex Coles and JJ Van Der Mescht come back
into Northampton’s starting line-up for the clash, while Josh
Kemeny – who penned a new deal with the Club this week – Tom
Pearson and Callum Chick form the back row and complete the
pack.
And Dowson names a bench full of firepower in Round 9, with
space for the likes of Craig Wright, Cleopas Kundiona, Archie
McParland, Anthony Belleau and Rory Hutchinson amongst the
replacements.
Tickets for Saints vs Quins are completely SOLD OUT! There may
be a limited number of re-sale tickets available, sold by Season
Ticket Holders unable to attend. Please note, these are only
available to purchase online and can be accessed HERE.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs HARLEQUINS
Gallagher PREM, Round 9
Saturday 3 January, 2026
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 5.30pm
15 George Hendy
14 Edoardo Todaro
13 Tommy Freeman
12 Fraser Dingwall (c)
11 James Ramm
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Danilo Fischetti
2 Robbie Smith
3 Elliot Millar Mills
4 Alex Coles
5 JJ Van Der Mescht
6 Josh Kemeny
7 Tom Pearson
8 Callum Chick
Replacements:
16 Craig Wright
17 Oliver Scola
18 Cleopas Kundiona
19 Ed Prowse
20 Sam Graham
21 Archie McParland
22 Anthony Belleau
23 Rory Hutchinson
Not considered for selection:
Emeka Atuanya, Will Glister, Curtis Langdon, Tom Litchfield, Tom
Lockett, Ollie Sleightholme, Charlie Ulcoq, and Tom West.
#Post#: 146999--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team News: Dombrandt starts as five changes made for Saints
DIR By: Brown Bottle
Date: January 2, 2026, 8:46 am
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Furbank and Pollock rested.
#Post#: 147011--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team News: Dombrandt starts as five changes made for Saints
DIR By: Quinky
Date: January 2, 2026, 1:54 pm
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One other benefit of Jarrod at 12 is that not everything needs
to run off Marcus. Taking the pressure off him may well be what
he needs right now.
#Post#: 147012--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team News: Dombrandt starts as five changes made for Saints
DIR By: FrostAndFire
Date: January 2, 2026, 2:15 pm
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--- Quote from: Quinky link ---
>
> One other benefit of Jarrod at 12 is that not everything needs
to run off Marcus. Taking the pressure off him may well be what
he needs right now.
>
--- End Quote ---
I think that's why it worked so well last time. Marcus looked
like he was much more calm and able to focus on running the
game.
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