Northampton vs London Irish: Blair Cowan to make 150th appearance for Exiles
Fifth-placed Northampton Saints host a London Irish side who are one place and one point below them in the Gallagher Premiership on Friday evening; Blair Cowan makes 150th Exiles appearance while George Furbank and Fraser Dingwall reach the half-century landmark for Saints
Last Updated: 15/04/21 4:57pm
London Irish boss Declan Kidney has paid tribute to Blair Cowan's "fantastic achievement" of reaching 150 games for the Exiles.
Cowan is set to make his landmark appearance at Northampton on Friday when the fifth-placed Saints entertain visitors who are one place and one point below them in the Gallagher Premiership.
"Both on and off the field, Blair sets an example for everyone at the club," said Kidney.
"Reaching 150 appearances is a fantastic achievement, and one that he thoroughly deserves.
"My congratulations go to Blair and his family. They have supported him his whole career and contributed massively to getting him to the 150th time that he will run out in a London Irish shirt."
London Irish are aiming to bounce back from their European Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat to Bath.
Cowan captains the side on his landmark appearance but prop Will Goodrick-Clarke is banned after being sent off in Europe.
Allan Dell and Motu Matu'u come into the front row, Albert Tuisue starts at No 8 and Terrence Hepetema and James Stokes form a new-look centre partnership.
Full-back George Furbank makes his 50th Saints appearance after recovering from a calf problem.
Furbank comes in for Tommy Freeman, who suffered a knee injury against Ulster last weekend and is expected to be sidelined for a couple of weeks.
Fraser Dingwall replaces Rory Hutchinson at outside centre to also reach the half-century landmark, but winger Taqele Naiyaravoro misses out through concussion protocols.
Saints make three changes in the pack as Nick Auterac and Mike Haywood come into the front row and lock forward Alex Moon replaces Alex Coles.
Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank, 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Fraser Dingwall, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Tom Collins, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Nick Auterac, 2 Mike Haywood, 3 Paul Hill, 4 David Ribbans, 5 Alex Moon, 6 Nick Isiekwe, 7 Lewis Ludlam (c), 8 Teimana Harrison.
Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Ehren Painter, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Tom Wood, 21 Tom James, 22 Rory Hutchinson, 23 Ahsee Tuala.
London Irish: 15 Tom Parton, 14 Ben Loader, 13 James Stokes, 12 Terrence Hepetema, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Nick Phipps; 1 Allan Dell, 2 Motu Matu'u, 3 Lovejoy Chawatama, 4 Chunya Munga, 5 Rob Simmons, 6 Ben Donnell, 7 Blair Cowan (c), 8 Albert Tuisue.
Replacements: 16 Matt Cornish, 17 Harry Elrington, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 George Nott, 20 Matt Rogerson, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Phil Cokanasiga, 23 Tom Homer.