Instead of naming a completely fresh 15, as has often been the case since rugby returned last month, Saints have decided to mix things up a little.

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It means George Furbank, Rory Hutchinson, Matt Proctor and Tom Collins will all make back-to-back starts having been in from the off at Harlequins last Sunday.

The pack is completely transformed once more, although two players who are part of it, David Ribbans and Teimana Harrison, did come off the bench last weekend.

Competition: Gallagher Premiership (round 18)

Venue: Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton

Date and kick-off time: Friday, September 4, 2020

Live television coverage: BT Sport 1

Referee: Luke Pearce (101st Premiership game)

Saints: Furbank; Tuala, Proctor, Hutchinson, Collins; Biggar, Taylor; van Wyk, Fish, Franks; Ribbans, Ratuniyarawa; Lawes, Tonks, Harrison (c).

Replacements: Matavesi, Auterac, Hill, Isiekwe, Adendorff, Mitchell, Francis, Naiyaravoro.

Exeter Chiefs: Hodge; O’Flaherty, Dollman, Hendrickson, Baldwin; Steenson, Hidalgo-Clyne; Hepburn, Yeandle (c), Francis; Dennis, S Skinner; Kirsten, Lonsdale, Armand.

Replacements: Innard, Keast, Petch, Price, Capstick, Snow, H Skinner, Wyatt.

Outs: Saints: Alex Coles (ankle), Harry Mallinder (knee), Ollie Sleightholme (hamstring), Connor Tupai (wrist), Alex Waller (achilles), Tom Wood (pulmonary embolism).

Most recent meeting: Sunday, February 23, 2020: Exeter Chiefs 57 Saints 7 (Gallagher Premiership)

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