Saints Vs. Newcastle

[Adam_P]

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs NEWCASTLE FALCONS
Gallagher Premiership, Round 12
Saturday 27 January, 2024
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 2pm

15 Rory Hutchinson – 150th Saints appearance
14 Gabriel Hamer-Webb – Saint #2089
13 Burger Odendaal
12 Tom Litchfield
11 Ollie Sleightholme
10 Charlie Savala
9 Tom James

1 Alex Waller
2 Sam Matavesi
3 Trevor Davison
4 Temo Mayanavanua
5 Chunya Munga
6 Courtney Lawes
7 Lewis Ludlam (c)
8 Sam Graham

Replacements:
16 Robbie Smith
17 Tarek Haffar
18 Elliot Millar Mills
19 Alex Moon
20 Juarno Augustus
21 Angus Scott-Young
22 Callum Braley
23 Joel Matavesi

Not available for selection:
George Hendy, Curtis Langdon (suspended), James Ramm and Tom Seabrook.

International duty:
Alex Coles, Fraser Dingwall, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Alex Mitchell, Tom Pearson and Fin Smith (all England).

FALCONS SIDE TO FACE SAINTS:
15 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Cameron Hutchison, 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Louie Johnson, 9 Hugh O’Sullivan; 1 Phil Brantingham, 2 Bryan Byrne, 3 Murray McCallum, 4 John Hawkins, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 6 Sam Cross, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Callum Chick (c).
Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Adam Brocklebank, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Tim Cardall, 20 Freddie Lockwood, 21 Sam Stuart, 22 Rory Jennings, 23 Mateo Carreras.

[Adam_P]

Given the injuries and internationals, that still feels like a very workable Saints team. Good to have Ludlam back in the fold.

[Puja]

Very timely return from Ludlam. Interesting that Munga's preferred ahead of Moon.

Puja

[Adam_P]

Very timely return from Ludlam. Interesting that Munga's preferred ahead of Moon.

Puja

I guess it's either/or with Moon and Mayanavanua to fill the heavy lock role, with the other berth filled by a more athletic Munga/Coles

[p/d]

I trust Pepper is showing why he is the form 7

[Epaminondas Pules]

I trust Pepper is showing why he is the form 7

Yep, he’s been excellent in the first half.

[p/d]

I trust Pepper is showing why he is the form 7

Yep, he’s been excellent in the first half.

Good to hear. Not watching just assuming

[Epaminondas Pules]

Tough tough day for Newcastle. All the 50/50s went against them and Saints were very canny at scrum time and at the breakdown. Saints had ascendency through Waller but were walking round almost every time and still be rewarded. Newcastle’s lineout was an absolute shambles.

Pepper was excellent as was Brantingham in the pack. Louie Johnson had a really good game too. They’ve just not got enough in the pack as a unit. Subs made no impact for them.

Saints did a job all round. They were a nuisance in every facet.

Scoreline somewhat flattering except that Saints line defence was superb!!

[FKAS]

Only saw bits of the first half in between decorating but Louie Johnson looked outstanding. If Sarries are looking around for a long term 10 option then they might be revisiting the North to raid again.

[p/d]

That’s good to hear. Another young lad holding his own.
Hope Thomas gets some quality game time for Sale tomorrow

[Timbo]

Only saw bits of the first half in between decorating but Louie Johnson looked outstanding. If Sarries are looking around for a long term 10 option then they might be revisiting the North to raid again.

From what I gather he’s been weighing up a move to Saracens for the last couple of months.

[FKAS]

Only saw bits of the first half in between decorating but Louie Johnson looked outstanding. If Sarries are looking around for a long term 10 option then they might be revisiting the North to raid again.

From what I gather he’s been weighing up a move to Saracens for the last couple of months.

I did hear Sarries had offered contracts to two Falcons players and Brantingham was one. I'd assumed the other was Pepper but it makes sense if it's Louie Johnson. Alex Goode is there to be a mentor whilst he settles in and he's got the potential to be an international.