Northampton Saints Make Four Changes for Bath Clash

Northampton Saints will make four changes to their starting lineup when they host Bath Rugby at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 3:05 p.m. local time. The reigning champions are seeking a response to their 41-26 defeat at Bristol Bears, while Bath arrive aiming to maintain their perfect start to the Gallagher PREM season.

According to team announcements published by RugbyPass and Bath Echo on October 9, JJ van der Mescht, Callum Chick, Alex Mitchell and James Pater will enter Northampton's starting XV. Bath, meanwhile, have named captain Miles Reid for his 150th appearance for the club as they pursue a third consecutive league victory.

Northampton have won every meeting with Bath at Franklin's Gardens since 2021, with the previous two encounters there decided by late penalties from Fin Smith. Smith retains the fly-half position, with British and Irish Lion Alex Mitchell returning at scrum-half.

Pater starts at fullback after earning Northampton's September Player of the Month award. Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme occupy the wings, while captain Fraser Dingwall continues his midfield partnership with Rory Hutchinson.

The main adjustment among the forwards sees Pollock move to openside flanker, allowing Chick to return at No. 8. Van der Mescht joins Alex Coles in the second row, while Josh Kemeny completes the back row. Emmanuel Iyogun, Curtis Langdon and Cleopas Kundiona remain in the starting front row.

Northampton have selected six forwards and two backs among their replacements. Ed Prowse could make his 50th appearance for the club, while Archie McParland and Anthony Belleau provide backline cover. Robbie Smith, Danilo Fischetti, Ion Neculai, Tom Lockett and Josh Taylor complete the substitutes.

Bath's front row consists of Scott Kirk, Kepueli Tuipulotu and Archie Griffin. Will Jeanes partners Ross Molony in the second row, with Molony set to make his first appearance of the season. Reid joins Josh Bayliss and Arthur Green in the back row.

Tom Carr-Smith and Finn Russell form Bath's halfback pairing. Russell leads the league in points scored with 21 and has an 80% goal-kicking success rate, according to the Bath Echo report. Cameron Redpath and Max Ojomoh start in midfield.

Charlie Griffin is set to make his Gallagher PREM debut on the left wing, with Joe Cokanasiga on the opposite side. Santi Carreras returns at fullback after missing the second-round match against Exeter Chiefs as a precaution following lingering calf tightness from Bath's season-opening victory over Harlequins.

Bath's bench includes Tom Dunn, Beno Obano and Will Stuart as front-row replacements, alongside Charlie Ewels, Ted Hill and Jaco Coetzee among the forwards. Ieuan Davies, who is also in line for his league debut, and Ollie Lawrence provide cover for the backs.

Matthew Carley will referee the match, assisted by Sara Cox and Veryan Boscawen, with Andrew Jackson serving as television match official. Northampton have declared the fixture a sellout, according to Bath Echo, and the match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.