Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

England skipper Lawes starts for Saints but no Sinckler for Bristol

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Stand-in England skipper Courtney Lawes will start for Northampton at Ashton Gate on Friday night but Kyle Sinckler, his Test team colleague, won’t feature for host club Bristol as the tighthead has been given a week off under the RFU elite player squad agreement. Lawes skippered his country twice during their recent Autumn Nations Series, leading them in their victories over Tonga and South Africa in the absence of Owen Farrell. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The Northampton forward quipped to England boss Eddie Jones in the aftermath of the dramatic win over the Springboks last Saturday that he now wanted to retire as skipper while he had an unblemished record. 

Rather than take a break following his exploits with England, Lions Test series back-rower Lawes will pack down for Northampton in a Premiership match in which they have Wales talisman Dan Biggar chosen as their starting out-half and he will come up against his national team rival Callum Sheedy, the Bristol No10.  

Video Spacer

Guess the celebrity Rose | Karen Carney | England Rugby

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 2:19
Loaded: 21.44%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 2:19
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    Guess the celebrity Rose | Karen Carney | England Rugby

    Not since September 2018 have Northampton defeated Bristol in the league, but they are going all guns out to rectify that record judging by the XV they have chosen. 

    For instance, joining Biggar at half-back is Alex Mitchell, the scrum-half who made his England Test debut when coming off the bench in the win over Tonga, while Georgie Furbank, the starting England No10 in that game, is at full-back.  

    Bristol, meanwhile, make three changes from their last Premiership outing, the November 6 win over Worcester. Chris Vui, Jake Kerr and Henry Purdy are all back in the side as the Bears seek a third consecutive victory in the competition.

    BRISTOL: 15. Charles Piutau; 14. Toby Fricker, 13. Piers O’Conor, 12. Alapati Leiua, 11. Henry Purdy; 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Andy Uren; 1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Jake Kerr, 3. Max Lahiff, 4. Joe Joyce, 5. Chris Vui, 6. Sam Jeffries, 7. Jake Heenan (capt), 8. Fitz Harding. Reps: 16. Will Capon, 17. Yann Thomas, 18. George Kloska, 19. John Hawkins, 20. Dan Thomas, 21. Tom Whiteley, 22. Sam Bedlow, 23. Niyi Adeolokun.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    NORTHAMPTON: 15. George Furbank; 14. Tommy Freeman, 13. Matt Proctor, 12. Fraser Dingwall, 11. Courtnall Skosan; 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Alex Mitchell; 1. Alex Waller, 2. James Fish, 3. Paul Hill, 4. David Ribbans, 5. Alex Moon, 6. Courtney Lawes, 7. Lewis Ludlam (capt), 8. Juarno Augustus. Reps: 16. Sam Matavesi, 17. Emmanuel Iyogun, 18. Conor Carey, 19. Api Ratuniyarawa, 20. Karl Wilkins, 21. Tom James, 22. Rory Hutchinson, 23. Josh Gillespie.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    LIVE

    Australia vs Wales | Women's International

    Classic Wallabies vs British & Irish Legends | First Match | Full Match Replay

    Did the Lions loosies get away with murder? And revisiting the Springboks lift | Whistle Watch

    The First Test, Visiting The Great Barrier Reef & Poetry with Pierre | Ep 6: The Ultimate Test

    KOKO Show | July 22nd | Full Throttle with Brisbane Test Review and Melbourne Preview

    New Zealand v South Africa | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

    USA vs England | Men's International | Full Match Replay

    France v Argentina | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

    Lions Share | Episode 4

    Trending on RugbyPass

    Comments

    0 Comments
    Be the first to comment...

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Features

    Comments on RugbyPass

    TRENDING
    TRENDING Fissler Confidential: All Black to give Falcons wings Fissler Confidential: All Black to give Falcons wings