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Northampton takes on Glasgow in the European Champions Cup: 17:30 kick-off
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Tom Wood returns from a shoulder injury to make his first start since 27 November for Saints
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The Warriors name a new-look midfield with Sam Johnson making his first start
Northampton host Glasgow in the Champions Cup with their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages hanging by a thread after a heavy defeat to Racing 92 last time out.
Dylan Hartley returns to the Northampton Saints starting line-up, replacing Mike Haywood at hooker after missing last weekend’s defeat at Leicester Tigers with a rib injury.
Hartley’s return is one of four changes to the team that lost 30-27 at Welford Road. Christian Day partners Courtney Lawes in the second row while Tom Wood is named at openside flanker.
George North reverts to the left wing to accommodate George Pisi’s inclusion at outside centre as Saints seek their sixth win in eight European matches against Glasgow.
Glasgow centre Sam Johnson will make his first start and fifth appearance for Glasgow Warriors, while Scotland international Alex Dunbar returns from injury for Sunday’s match.
Stuart Hogg is once again named at full-back, with Lee Jones replacing Taqele Naiyaravoro on the right wing and Sean Lamont continuing on the opposite side.
Dunbar and Johnson are in the Warriors midfield, while Finn Russell switches to fly-half with Duncan Weir named on the bench. Scrum-half Ali Price keeps his place in the starting line-up, following last weekend’s defeat to Racing 92 in Paris.
Northampton Saints have had the upper hand in this fixture in the past winning most recent encounter 26-15 win, away from home. Saints have a very impressing record against Scottish opponents, winning 10 of their last 11 games against team from that country.
KEY STATS
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The Northampton Saints have had the upper hand in this fixture in the past
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During their most recent encounter the Saints recorded a 26-15 win, away from home
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This is compounded by the fact that the last time Saints hosted Glasgow, they also recorded a comfortable victory
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What will encourage Saints even more is that they have won 10 of their last 11 matches against Scottish opponents
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What will encourage Glasgow though, is that Saints have failed to record a win in their last two European outings
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Northampton: George Pisi
Glasgow: Alex Dunbar
Northampton Saints: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Tom Collins, 13 George Pisi, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 George North, 10 JJ Hanrahan, 9 Lee Dickson (c), 8 Teimana Harrison, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Jamie Gibson, 5 Christian Day, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Paul Hill, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Alex Waller
Replacements: 16 Mikey Haywood, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Gareth Denman, 19 Michael Paterson, 20 Jon Fisher, 21 Tom Kessell, 22 Stephen Myler, 23 Harry Mallinder
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Lee Jones, 13 Alex Dunbar, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ali Price, 8 Adam Ashe, 7 Chris Fusaro, 6 Ryan Wilson, 5 Jonny Gray (c), 4 Leone Nakarawa, 3 Sila Puafisi, 2 Pat MacArthur, 1 Gordon Reid
Replacements: 16 Shalva Mamukashvili, 17 Alex Allan, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Simone Favaro, 21 Grayson Hart, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro
Date: Sunday, January 17
Venue: Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant Referees: Cyril Lafon (France), Stéphane Boyer (France)
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)