Northampton v Wasps: Teams

Northampton coach Jim Mallinder has only made one change to his side for Saturday's Guinness Premiership clash against Wasps at Franklin's Gardens.

Jon Clarke has been forced out injured, so in his place comes Joe Ansbro - a player who has impressed Mallinder of late.

"Joe impressed when he came into the team towards the end of last season," he said.

"He is a player with plenty of ability in both defence and attack as well as determination to make his mark in the Premiership."

Wasps, who have never lost their opening three games in 21 years of top flight league rugby, have made eight changes to their side.

Club captain Raphaël Ibañez has dropped out of the squad altogether due to injury, and is replaced by Joe Ward, with Phil Vickery taking over as captain.

Promoted

Due to the RFU stipulations on EPS players Simon Shaw and Tom Rees drop out of the squad altogether, meaning Richard Birkett starts, as does John Hart.

Dan Leo is promoted to the bench and will be joined by Serge Betsen and Mark Robinson - both set to make their debuts after signing in the off season.

"It is good to see Northampton back in their rightful place in the Guinness Premiership and we are very excited to go back to Franklin's Gardens -a ground which has proved to be a hotbed of rugby," said head coach Shaun Edwards.

"After two defeats for both sides we can expect a highly competitive battle. The game will be a special one for both Mark Robinson and Pat Barnard returning to the home of their former club and the whole squad know they have a hugely important game in front of them."

Northampton: 15 Bruce Reihana (c), 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Joe Ansbro, 12 James Downey, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 Lee Dickson, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 Euan Murray, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 5 Christian Day, 6 Neil Best, 7 Scott Gray, 8 Roger Wilson.
Replacements: 16 Paul Shields, 17 Barry Stewart, 18 Tom Smith, 19 Alex Rae, 20 Mark Hopley, 21 Ben Foden, 22 Stephen Myler.

Wasps: 15 Josh Lewsey, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Dominic Waldouck, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Dave Walder, 9 Eoin Reddan, 1 Tim Payne, 2 Joe Ward, 3 Phil Vickery (c), 4 Richard Birkett, 5 Tom Palmer, 6 Joe Worsley, 7 James Haskell, 8 John Hart.
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Pat Barnard, 18 Dan Leo, 19 Serge Betsen, 20 Mark Robinson, 21 Jeremy Staunton, 22 Rob Hoadley.