Northampton Saints v Montpellier: Champions Cup preview
Last Updated: 15/10/16 4:52pm
Louis Picamoles has been named in Northampton's starting line-up for Saturday's Champions Cup clash with former club Montpellier, live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 5pm.
The France No 8 starts after being named on the bench in last weekend's defeat at Harlequins and is one of three changes made by Jim Mallinder.
Ben Foden returns at full-back while Harry Mallinder is selected at inside centre in place of Luther Burrell as Northampton attempt to halt a five-game winless streak against Top 14 opposition.
Saints have lost four of those five games against French sides, scoring fewer than 12 points on each occasion, and they face a stiff test against last season's Challenge Cup winners, who travel to Franklin's Gardens on a back of a 28-19 victory over Pool 4 rivals Castres.
"I think the Champions Cup is a fantastic opportunity to test yourself against the best," said Saints captain Tom Wood.
"We've enjoyed some great occasions in Europe, and there seems to be that little bit extra about it - the atmosphere, the buzz. European rugby can be a chance to springboard your season, and it's certainly worked that way for us in the past.
"We recognise that we've got some very good teams in our way, but we want to be competing, we want to qualify from our group and we want to go as far as we possibly can."
Jake White has named a new-look back row with Jacques du Plessis moving from lock to blindside flanker and Springbok Pierre Spies selected at No 8.
Benjamin Fall captains the side from full-back with former Harlequin Ben Botica switching to fly-half after kicking 20 points against Castres.
Fijian bulldozer Nemani Nadolo returns to the wing to bolster a backline already brimming with international experience.
Montpellier sit third in the Top 14 and have won two of their four away games, but three of their last four visits to Premiership sides have ended in defeat.
Northampton Saints: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 George Pisi, 12 Harry Mallinder, 11 George North, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Nic Groom; 1 Alex Waller, 2 Mikey Haywood, 3 Kieran Brookes, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Michael Paterson, 6 Tom Wood (c), 7 Calum Clark, 8 Louis Picamoles.
Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Sam Dickinson, 20 Teimana Harrison, 21 Lee Dickson, 22 Rory Hutchinson, 23 James Wilson.
Montpellier: 15 Benjamin Fall (c), 14 Marvin O'Connor, 13 Alexandre Dumoulin, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Ben Botica, 9 Nic White; 1 Mikheil Nariashvili, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 3 Davit Kubriashvili, 4 Konstantine Mikautadze, 5 Paul Willemse, 6 Jacques Du Plessis, 7 Antoine Battut, 8 Pierre Spies.
Replacements: 16 Romain Ruffenach, 17 Yvan Watremez, 18 Jannie Du Plessis, 19 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 20 Akapusi Qera, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Vincent Martin, 23 Joffrey Michel.
Watch Northampton v Montpellier live on Sky Sports 2 HD on Saturday from 5pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.
