Pollock reaches 50 Northampton appearances days after signing new contract

Henry Pollock will make his 50th appearance for Northampton Saints on Friday when the Premiership champions open their season against Newcastle Red Bulls at DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

The 21-year-old reaches the landmark just days after signing a new contract, rounding off a significant week for the back-rower as he begins his fifth season at the club. Pollock starts at openside flanker alongside Josh Kemeny and former Newcastle captain Callum Chick, with Alex Coles and Ed Prowse named in the second row.

Archie McParland and Fin Smith continue as the half-back pairing, while captain Fraser Dingwall partners Rory Hutchinson in midfield. Tommy Freeman and George Hendy start on the wings, with 19-year-old James Pater at full-back. Emmanuel Iyogun, Curtis Langdon and Cleopas Kundiona retain their places in an unchanged front row from last week’s 93-10 victory over Black Lion.

Newcastle’s line-up includes a familiar face for Saints supporters: Sam Graham, who spent time at Franklin’s Gardens before moving north over the summer, starts at number eight for the Red Bulls.

Among the replacements, Ion Neculai and Josh Taylor could make their Premiership debuts off the bench for Northampton, while Alex Mitchell and Ollie Sleightholme are also named in the squad.

Northampton Saints XV: 15 James Pater; 14 Tommy Freeman, 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 Henry Pollock, 8 Callum Chick.

Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Danilo Fischetti, 18 Ion Neculai, 19 Tom Lockett, 20 Josh Taylor, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Anthony Belleau, 23 Ollie Sleightholme.

Newcastle Red Bulls XV: 15 Harrison Obatoyinbo; 14 Christian Wade, 13 Alex Hearle, 12 Chris Harris, 11 Werner Kok; 10 Brett Connon, 9 James Elliott; 1 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Elliot Millar Mills, 4 Oscar Usher, 5 Cam Jordan, 6 Max Hicks, 7 Tom Christie (c), 8 Sam Graham.

Replacements: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Tom West, 18 James Harper, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Ollie Leatherbarrow, 21 Simón Benítez Cruz, 22 Zack Henry, 23 Hoskins Sotutu.