Northampton Saints are set to be boosted by their British and Irish contingent this weekend, in a welcome boost for director of rugby Phil Dowson. 

Summer tourists Tommy Freeman, Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell and Henry Pollock have been absent for both of the Saints’ PREM fixtures this season through enforced rest, but look set to return to action this weekend at the first time of asking.

This comes amid a major plague of unavailability at Franklin’s Gardens, with the likes of Josh Kemeny, Curtis Langdon, Ollie Sleightholme, George Furbank and Chunya Munga among others missing both of the Saints’ opening fixtures this year.

Northampton come into the game fourth in the table, but have let two huge early leads disappear in both of their games. Exeter clawed back from a half-time deficit of 33-7 to draw in the opening game at the Gardens, while Gloucester also secured the biggest comeback in PREM history in round two, only for new recruit Anthony Belleau to spare the Saints’ blushes with a late conversion.

‘They’re itching to get back out there’

Given the way Northampton’s games have gone so far this season, having players of the quality of Freeman, Mitchell, Smith and Pollock back in contention is a huge shot in the arm, and DoR Dowson feels they are ready to hit the ground running.

“I think all the lads are (excited to be back). They see how hard we’re working as a group on gameday, and they want to be part of that,” said the Saints boss. “They’re all competitors, they all love the game and love playing, and they’re itching to get back out there.

“It’s fantastic that the first opportunity is Derby Day (against Leicester). It’s going to be a sellout here, it’s a big part of the season and we’re excited about that.”

They are also not the only fresh names likely to feature on the Saints’ teamsheet this weekend, with international duo Trevor Davison and Josh Kemeny also back in contention after overcoming knocks.

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“Just to get any players back, and Trevor Davison has got through his return to play and Josh Kemeny, after a bit of a layoff, is back available.

“Getting these guys back in drives some energy and brings some quality and competition. It also gives us some very good headaches at selection time.”

But, it seems England full-back George Furbank will remain on the sidelines this weekend, with Dowson wary of fast-tracking him after an ‘annus horribilis’ on the injury front.

“George had a horrible year last year, an annus horribilis. He picked something up a couple of weeks ago, and we’re making sure we’re slow-walking it so he doesn’t have any other setbacks and give him every opportunity.

“He’s been out and moving today, but we’re going to build him back in slowly over the next couple of weeks and see where we end up.”

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