Saints v Irish: Teams

Northampton make just one change from the side that beat Connacht in the Challenge Cup quarter-final last week.

Director of rugby Jim Mallinder brings lock Courtney Lawes in to the starting XV to partner Juandre Kruger in the second row.

Mallinder is aware that the Exiles will be a tough nut to crack as Saints look to finish their Premiership campaign at the Gardens on a high.

"They play an exciting brand of rugby, something backed up by the fact that they have scored more tries than anyone else," he said. "They run hard and fast at you and then have the skills to exploit the space they create.

"But their defence is also superb, which means that we will have to make the most of our opportunities, be disciplined and stick to our game plan."

London Irish make a whole host of changes to the side that was dumped out of the Challenge Cup by Bourgoin.

Elvis Seveali'i starts at outside centre with Adam Thompstone returning to the right wing and Topsy Ojo moving to the left. Paul Hodgson comes back at scrum-half.

Among the forwards Clarke Dermody returns at loosehead prop to skipper the side with Richard Skuse at tighthead.

Between them and making his 100th senior appearance for the club at hooker is David Paice, while Richard Thorpe and Chris Hala'Ufia return alongside Steffon Armitage in the back row.

"When we played Northampton at Madejski Stadium four weeks ago we emerged winners after a competitive and entertaining 80 minutes of rugby," said Toby Booth.

"We've trained well this week and have selected a team that can threaten the impressive Saints' home record. Another great contest is assured."

Northampton:15 Ben Foden, 14 Paul Diggin, 13 Joe Ansbro, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana (c), 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Scott Gray, 6 Neil Best, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.

Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Tom Smith, 18 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 19 Mark Easter, 20 Alan Dickens, 21 Barry Everitt, 22 Chris Mayor.

London Irish: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Adam Thompstone, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Topsy Ojo, 10 Peter Hewat 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Chris Hala'Ufia, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Richard Thorpe, 5 James Hudson, 4 Nick Kennedy, 3 Richard Skuse, 2 David Paice, 1 Clarke Dermody (c).

Replacements: 16 Dan Murphy, 17 Danie Coetzee, 18 Gary Johnson, 19 Jonathon Fisher, 20 Declan Danaher, 21 Peter Richards, 22 Eoghan Hickey