Teenage full-back James Pater leads four Northampton debutants against Cardiff in Champions Cup

Northampton Saints have handed 19-year-old full-back James Pater his Investec Champions Cup debut for Sunday’s pool fixture against Cardiff at Franklin’s Gardens, with three teammates also in line for their first appearances at European rugby’s top table.

Pater has been one of the standout performers in the Premiership this season, scoring five tries in five matches from the No.15 position. His selection continues a rapid rise that has seen the teenager establish himself as a first-choice starter at Saints.

Josh Taylor earns his maiden Champions Cup start at openside flanker, while prop Ion Neculai and back-row Charlie Ulcoq are set to make their debuts from the replacements bench, giving head coach Phil Dowson four fresh faces to blood at this level in a single fixture.

Ollie Sleightholme, who plundered a hat-trick in Northampton’s 71-48 demolition of Bath last weekend, lines up on the right wing alongside George Hendy, with Toby Thame and Rory Hutchinson forming the midfield partnership. French fly-half Anthony Belleau makes his first start of the season, partnering scrum-half Alex Mitchell at half-back, as Fin Smith and Archie McParland are held in reserve.

Callum Chick captains the side from No.8, flanked by Taylor and Josh Kemeny in the back row. A reshuffled tight five sees Danilo Fischetti, Robbie Smith and Tom Lockett come into the starting XV at loosehead prop, hooker and lock respectively, while tighthead Cleopas Kundiona and lock JJ Van Der Mescht retain their places.

The match kicks off at 17:30 on Sunday 18 January 2026 at the DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.