Northampton v Sarries: Teams

Dylan Hartley will be back to bolster Northampton for their European Challenge Cup semi-final clash with Saracens.

Hartley damaged his stomach against London Irish and missed the final round of Guinness Premiership matches last Saturday when Saints lost at Sale Sharks.

The Challenge Cup provides both clubs with a last opportunity to claim silverware and, equally importantly, a place in the 2009/10 Heineken Cup.

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder, who is without the services of injured back-rower Roger Wilson, is expecting Sarries to offer his side an extremely stern test.

"Saracens have been playing well recently," Mallinder stated. "They have a powerful set of forwards who can provide a good platform and in Neil de Kock and Glen Jackson, Saracens have half-backs who can control a game.

"They play an attacking style of rugby and in players like Richard Haughton and Noah Cato they have the talent and pace to exploit any opportunities they can create."

Six back for Sarries

Meanwhile, Saracens chief Richard Graham has recalled six players as his side try to secure their first final appearance in some 11 years.

Graham brings back Rodd Penney, Matias Aguero, Fabio Ongaro, Brad Barritt and Francisco Leonelli after all six were rested at Bath last week.

Tom Ryder also returns to take his place in the second row where he will partner England captain Steve Borthwick, while Chris Wyles gets the nod at full-back.

"We're all really excited and looking forward to the game and the opportunity in front of us," Graham declared.

"Selection has been very difficult this week but those who were not named in the team have made it a very competitive environment in training and as a result, preparations have gone very well.

"This Challenge Cup has been a very good competition for us this year. We won all of our games in what was probably one of the toughest pools in the competition and then had a very good result against Newcastle Falcons. We've also played some pretty good rugby in Europe and we're looking to continue doing the game on Friday.

"We've played Northampton Saints three times already this season so we know each other pretty well. Jim Mallinder has got them playing some good rugby so I'm sure it will be a good contest.

"It's going to be a fantastic occasion with more than 2,000 Saracens fans making the trip to Franklin's Gardens and they will be making their voices heard to make it a great atmosphere."

Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Paul Diggin, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana (capt), 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Mark Easter, 7 Scott Gray, 6 Neil Best, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha
Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Tom Smith, 18 Courtney Lawes, 19 Mark Hopley, 20 Alan Dickens, 21 Barry Everitt, 22 Joe Ansbro

Saracens: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 Rodd Penney, 13 Francisco Leonelli, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Noah Cato, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ben Skirving, 7 Dave Seymour, 6 Chris Jack, 5 Tom Ryder, 4 Steve Borthwick, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Matias Aguero
Replacements: 16 Matt Cairns, 17 Tom Mercey, 18 Hugh Vyvyan, 19 Andy Saull, 20 Mickey Wilson, 21 Andy Farrell, 22 Andy Powell