Freeman shifts to full-back as Northampton make two changes for Bristol trip

Tommy Freeman has been repositioned at full-back for Northampton Saints’ Premiership clash against Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate on Saturday, 3 October, with kick-off at 3.05pm. The 25-year-old replaces James Pater at No.15, one of two changes director of rugby Phil Dowson has made to the starting XV that beat Newcastle 59-26 last weekend.

Freeman scored a hat-trick in that victory over Newcastle, as did Pater, but his move to full-back opens a wing berth for the returning Ollie Sleightholme. Freeman actually made his Saints debut at full-back in September 2019 and was a regular there in his first two professional seasons, though appearances in the specialist role have been rare since he established himself as a Test winger and outside-centre. His previous outing at 15 came away at Newcastle in October last year.

George Hendy keeps his place on the other wing, while Fraser Dingwall and Rory Hutchinson continue in the centres for a second successive week. The half-back pairing of Archie McParland and Fin Smith is also unchanged, as is the entire tight five of Emmanuel Iyogun, Curtis Langdon, Cleopas Kundiona, Alex Coles and Ed Prowse.

The second change to the starting line-up sees Josh Taylor make his first Premiership start, slotting into the back row alongside Josh Kemeny and Henry Pollock. Northampton name a 5-3 bench that includes Italy props Danilo Fischetti and Ion Neculai, alongside England internationals Callum Chick and Alex Mitchell.

The historical record at Ashton Gate makes uncomfortable reading for Saints. Northampton have not won there in their last five visits, with their most recent success on Bristol soil coming in 2021 — a 36-20 victory in which Freeman scored twice. By contrast, when Bristol visited Franklin’s Gardens last season, Saints ran in 14 tries in a record-breaking 94-33 win.

Bristol make just one enforced change from the side that beat Sale Sharks last weekend, with Jake Woolmore coming in at prop to cover for Ellis Genge, who is sidelined with a wrist injury. Woolmore is the club’s most-capped Premiership player. Club centurion Steven Luatua also returns to the Bears’ back row.

Northampton team vs Bristol (Ashton Gate, Saturday, 3 October, 3.05pm):

15 Tommy Freeman, 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Fraser Dingwall (c), 11 George Hendy, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Archie McParland, 1 Emmanuel Iyogun, 2 Curtis Langdon, 3 Cleopas Kundiona, 4 Alex Coles, 5 Ed Prowse, 6 Josh Kemeny, 7 Josh Taylor, 8 Henry Pollock.

Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Danilo Fischetti, 18 Ion Neculai, 19 Tom Lockett, 20 Callum Chick, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Anthony Belleau, 23 James Pater.