Saints Vs Tigers in the Prem Cup - Sat 3.05pm

[FKAS]

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs LEICESTER TIGERS
PREM Rugby Cup, Round 6
Saturday 31 January, 2026
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3.05pm

15 James Martin
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Billy Pasco
12 Toby Thame
11 Amena Caqusau
10 James Pater
9 Archie McParland

1 Oliver Scola
2 Henry Walker
3 Cleopas Kundiona
4 Ed Prowse
5 Tom Lockett
6 Archie Benson
7 Charlie Ulcoq – Saint #2125
8 Sam Graham (c)

Replacements:
16 Marco Manfredi
17 Luke Green
18 Sonny Tonga’uiha
19 Chunya Munga
20 Jack Kelleher – Guest player, Northampton Saints debut
21 Tom James
22 Freddie St John – Northampton Saints debut
23 James Ramm

Not considered for selection:
Emeka Atuanya, Anthony Belleau, Will Glister, Curtis Langdon, Tom Litchfield, Henry Lumley and Tom West.

International duty:
Alex Coles, Fraser Dingwall, Trevor Davison, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Emmanuel Iyogun, Alex Mitchell, Henry Pollock and Fin Smith (all England), Rory Hutchinson and Elliot Millar Mills (both Scotland), Danilo Fischetti and Edoardo Todaro (both Italy).

Leicester Tigers (appearances) - * - debut

15. Orlando Bailey (14)
14. George Pearson (11)
13. Izaia Perese (20)
12. Joseph Woodward (46)
11. Ryan Crowley (3)
10. James O’Connor (5)
9. Ollie Allan (15)

1. Archie Van Der Flier (12)
2. Finn Theobold-Thomas (25)
3. Will Hurd (64)
4. Harry Wells (227)
5. Tom Manz (19)
6. Harry Palmer (4)
7. Sam Williams (10)
8. Hanro Liebenberg © (139)

Replacements:
16. Charlie Clare (137)
17. Tarek Haffar (12)
18. Ale Loman (9)
19. Josh Manz (15)
20. George Marsh (1)
21. Charlie Bemand (3)
22. Wilf McCarthy (0*)
23. Kesena Izu (0*)

[Epaminondas Pules]

Leicester Tigers (appearances) - * - debut

15. Orlando Bailey (14)
14. George Pearson (11)
13. Izaia Perese (20)
12. Joseph Woodward (46)
11. Ryan Crowley (3)
10. James O’Connor (5)
9. Ollie Allan (15)
1. Archie Van Der Flier (12)
2. Finn Theobold-Thomas (25)
3. Will Hurd (64)
4. Harry Wells (227)
5. Tom Manz (19)
6. Harry Palmer (4)
7. Sam Williams (10)
8. Hanro Liebenberg © (139)

Replacements:
16. Charlie Clare (137)
17. Tarek Haffar (12)
18. Ale Loman (9)
19. Josh Manz (15)
20. George Marsh (1)
21. Charlie Bemand (3)
22. Wilf McCarthy (0*)
23. Kesena Izu (0*)

[Epaminondas Pules]

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs LEICESTER TIGERS
PREM Rugby Cup, Round 6
Saturday 31 January, 2026
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3.05pm

15 James Martin
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Billy Pasco
12 Toby Thame
11 Amena Caqusau
10 James Pater
9 Archie McParland

1 Oliver Scola
2 Henry Walker
3 Cleopas Kundiona
4 Ed Prowse
5 Tom Lockett
6 Archie Benson
7 Charlie Ulcoq – Saint #2125
8 Sam Graham (c)

Replacements:
16 Marco Manfredi
17 Luke Green
18 Sonny Tonga’uiha
19 Chunya Munga
20 Jack Kelleher – Guest player, Northampton Saints debut
21 Tom James
22 Freddie St John – Northampton Saints debut
23 James Ramm

[FKAS]

Perese misread I think it is in defence, he steps in and Saints get the ball away and work the overlap.

[FKAS]

Tigers have been pretty dreadful so far, this could be a healthy home win at this rate.

[FKAS]

Second Saints try. They look up for it, Tigers with no real intensity.

[FKAS]

Stunning try from midway in the Tigers half. Dropped Saints ball and JOC pounces. Skips through a few would be challenges but some good Saints scramble defence means Tigers have to go through the hands before Pearson can dot down.

[FKAS]

Chip and chase from Martin to score Saints third. All defence from the Tigers backs the forwards rarely seen. Hurd was fecking walking the lazy bastard.

[FKAS]

Jeez where did these officials come from. Sacking the lifters before the jumper is down is now obstruction at the lineout FFS.

[FKAS]

So the Tigers try was disallowed for obstruction but this Saints one is play on? Fuck me, where did they find these clowns.

[FKAS]

This time the Saints don't need assistance from the officials and stroll under the posts. No idea what Haffar thinks he's doing.

[FKAS]

Tigers score a maul try, waiting for the TMO.

[FKAS]

Another rolling maul try here potentially. TMO is coming in again.

[Captainhaircut]

Didn’t someone on here say Crowley was good? He’s been dreadful today. Looks like exactly the sort of player that makes me argue for far stronger controls on non-English players.

[Epaminondas Pules]

My god we were crap! Saints have a DNA and everyone buys into it. They were excellent! Lots of positives!

Really felt for George Marsh who sat watching the shit for 77 minutes and in three minutes made 8 tackles and one carry! Utter waste leaving him on the bench so long when the others were playing so poorly.

[FKAS]

Tigers sneak a TBP at the death. Second half much better than the first half for them. Saints good for their 40-22 victory. Young Pater looks a real talent for them as does McParland, really good combo at half back. Caqusau also looked powerful and pacey. Scola and Walker in the front row handy as well, Scola had no issues with Hurd at scrum time, though Hurd looked like he didn't want to be there (extremely disappointed in him, hope he gets a rocket off the coaches).

Saints starting pack just looked hungrier, Tigers starting front row were abject there's really nothing remotely positive to say about them. Charlie Clare looked like a multi test Lion compared to FTT (lineout success rate of 40%). As the Tigers subs came on we did get better. Josh Manz added the physicality Palmer lacked and I would give a mention to the diminutive Bemand who came on early for the concussed Allan and played pretty well, if our forwards had shared his aggression then we'd have won that, tackled well above his weight which was good to see.

[Epaminondas Pules]

For many that would have been the first look at Pater. He is absolute mint and was out of position today. One thing you wouldn’t have seen today is his gas. He is rapid and then some! Really looking forward to seeing him in the back three for England U20s.

[FKAS]

For many that would have been the first look at Pater. He is absolute mint and was out of position today. One thing you wouldn’t have seen today is his gas. He is rapid and then some! Really looking forward to seeing him in the back three for England U20s.

Yeah, it's fairly obvious why Saints weren't going to be held to ransom by Furbank's agent. They've already developed his replacement.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Really impressed with Marsh too in his cameo. I’ve seen a lot of him at Denstone. He’s going to be excellent!

[FKAS]

Really impressed with Marsh too in his cameo. I’ve seen a lot of him at Denstone. He’s going to be excellent!

Yeah he's built like a tank isn't he. He looks fully grown at 18. Put himself about well, tried to support Liebenburg's break for the fourth try (unfortunately Liebenburg veered the other way).

[Epaminondas Pules]

Really impressed with Marsh too in his cameo. I’ve seen a lot of him at Denstone. He’s going to be excellent!

Yeah he's built like a tank isn't he. He looks fully grown at 18. Put himself about well, tried to support Liebenburg's break for the fourth try (unfortunately Liebenburg veered the other way).

He’s, surprisingly, flexible too for a big man.

[Beasties]

Where can I catch up on the games from this weekend?
Just back from holiday.

[Beasties]

Where can I catch up on the games from this weekend?
Just back from holiday.

[FKAS]

Really impressed with Marsh too in his cameo. I’ve seen a lot of him at Denstone. He’s going to be excellent!

Yeah he's built like a tank isn't he. He looks fully grown at 18. Put himself about well, tried to support Liebenburg's break for the fourth try (unfortunately Liebenburg veered the other way).

He’s, surprisingly, flexible too for a big man.

and quick. Very interested to see if he gets a go for the under 20s.

[Puja]

Where can I catch up on the games from this weekend?
Just back from holiday.

There's free highlights on youtube and the full games are on TNT/Discovery if you have that.

Puja