Northampton Saints v Wasps - Aviva Premiership match preview
Dom Waldouck returns to the Northampton side against Wasps, who have Tim Payne making his 250th club appearance.
Last Updated: 28/09/12 7:02pm
Centre Dom Waldouck replaces George Pisi alongside Luther Burrell in midfield and England flanker Tom Wood features at openside instead of Phil Dowson, who is on bench duty.
Saints are one of only two unbeaten teams in the Aviva Premiership but their director of rugby Jim Mallinder expects a tough test from Wasps.
"They have been very competitive in every game and shown their willingness to play as a team for the full 80 minutes. They soundly beat London Irish two weeks ago and put over 40 points past Harlequins in Round 1 as well," he said.
Prop Tim Payne will make his 250th appearance for Wasps as the Londoners look to bounce back from last weekend's defeat at Gloucester.
Winger James Bailey makes a first-team debut, replacing Tom Varndell, while there are also starts for fly-half Nicky Robinson, flanker Joe Launchbury and No 8 Billy Vunipola.
Stephen Jones has not recovered from stomach illness and his place on the bench has been taken by Lee Thomas.
Northampton: Wilson, K Pisi, Waldouck, Burrell, Artemyev, Myler, Dickson; Tonga'uiha, Hartley (capt), Doran Jones, Manoa, Day, Lawes, Wood, Oakley. Replacements: Haywood, Mujati, Waller, Sorenson, Dowson, Roberts, Lamb, May.
Wasps: T Bell, Wade, Masi, C Bell, Bailey, Robinson, Simpson; Payne, Lindsay, Taufalo, Palmer, Wentzel (capt), Launchbury, Haskell, Vunipola. Replacements: Rhys Thomas, McIntyre, Staibano, Sam Jones, Cannon, Davies, Lee Thomas, Daly.
