Author

Will Carpenter writes

Posted Friday, March 19th 2021 @bristolsportwkc

Match preview: Northampton Saints (a) - Gallagher Premiership

Friday, March 19th 2021

Everything you need to know ahead of the round 14 Gallagher Premiership clash with Northampton Saints, in our Big Match Preview.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS LINEUP

15. George Furbank, 14. Matt Proctor, 13. Fraser Dingwall, 12. Rory Hutchinson, 11. Tommy Freeman, 10. James Grayson, 9. Tom James; 1. Alex Waller (c), 2. Sam Matavesi, 3. Paul Hill, 4. Alex Coles, 5. Api Ratuniyarawa, 6. Nick Isiekwe, 7. Tom Wood, 8. Teimana Harrison.

Replacements: 16. Mike Haywood, 17. Nick Auterac, 18. Ehren Painter, 19. Alex Moon, 20. JJ Tonks, 21. Henry Taylor, 22. Piers Francis, 23. Harry Mallinder

WHEN AND WHERE

The Bears' round 14 Gallagher Premiership clash with Northampton Saints is on Sunday, March 21st, with kick-off at 3pm (UK).

In the UK, the game will be televised on BT Sport 1 HD and broadcast live on BBC Radio Bristol - and you can also follow all the action in our Matchday Centre on bristolbearsrugby.com and on Twitter: @BristolBears, whilst highlights will be available to watch from 10am the following day.

FORM GUIDE

Northampton Saints have lost only twice in the last seven rounds of Gallagher Premiership Rugby, at home to Bath in Round 11 and away at Harlequins in Round 12. Excluding declared results, the Saints have lost just once at Franklin’s Gardens in Premiership Rugby since November and that was by a single point to Bath on 28 February.

Bristol Bears are unbeaten in the last five rounds of Gallagher Premiership Rugby since their 13-20 reversal at home to Sale on 5 February. Bristol have lost just three times away from home in any competition since the end of August and all those defeats were against Wasps at the Ricoh Arena.

The Bears have won their last four encounters with the Saints, their best run against the East Midlander’s in competition rugby. Bristol have won on their last two visits to Franklin’s Gardens.