Northampton Saints have been forced into a late double change ahead of their Investec Champions Cup clash against Bordeaux Begles, with Fin Smith and James Ramm withdrawing. 

Fly-half Smith was initially named in the starting XV, while Ramm was named on the bench, but they have now both pulled out through injury.

Northampton Saints forced into late changes

Following the late withdrawals, Frenchman Anthony Belleau now dons the number 10 jersey in Smith’s place, while Toby Thame comes onto the bench in place of Ramm.

That leaves red-hot George Hendy at full-back, with Eduardo Todero and Ollie Sleightholme on the wings. Tommy Freeman continues his run at outside centre, with Rory Hutchinson joining him in midfield. The newly-installed Belleau partners Alex Mitchell in the halves.

Henry Pollock starts at number eight, with Tom Pearson and skipper Callum Chick named on the flanks. JJ van der Mescht and Alex Coles once again feature in the locks, with Trevor Davison, Craig Wright and Danilo Fischetti named in the front row.

Robbie Smith, Emmanuel Iyogun, Elliot Millar Mills, Ed Prowse, Chunya Munga and Sam Graham are the forward options on the 6:2 bench, with Archie McParland and the aforementioned Toby Thame the two backs on the bench.

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The clash at the Stade Chaban-Delmas sees Northampton take on Bordeaux for the first time since their gripping Investec Champions Cup final meeting at the Principality Stadium last year, where the French side came out on top.

A bonus-point win for either side will see them leapfrog Bristol Bears at the top of Pool Three heading into next weekend’s final round of group fixtures.

Northampton Saints updated line-up in full

Starting XV: 15 George Hendy, 14 Edoardo Todaro, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Henry Pollock, 7 Tom Pearson, 6 Callum Chick (c), 5 JJ van der Mescht, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Trevor Davison, 2 Craig Wright, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun, 18 Elliot Millar Mills, 19 Ed Prowse, 20 Chunya Munga, 21 Sam Graham, 22 Archie McParland, 23 Toby Thame

Venue: Stade Chaban-Delmas
Kick-off: 16:15 local (15:15 GMT)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)
Assistant Referees: Robbie Jenkinson (Ire), Padraic Reidy (Ire)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ire)
How to watch: France TV / beIN SPORTS / Premier Sports / SuperSport / FloRugby

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