The Saints head to the Liberty Stadium for the opening match in the 2009/10 LV= Cup just five days after their Guinness Premiership trip to Leicester. Nevertheless Mallinder has handed a first start of the season to just four players – Mark Hopley, Jon Vickers, Joe Gray and Alan Dickens, who also captains the side.
“Inevitably with such a quick turnaround after a very physical game against Leicester some players have needed a rest,” Mallinder said.
“But that in turn presents opportunities for other players to shine. Last season the Anglo-Welsh Cup proved to be a springboard for several players, such as Courtney Lawes and Stephen Myler, who went on to be regulars in the Guinness Premiership and in Europe.
“We are taking a squad to the Liberty Stadium that has worked hard this week and that wants to achieve a positive result and get us off to a good start in the LV= Cup.”
Northampton Saints:15 Ben Foden 14 Chris Ashton 13 Joe Ansbro 12 Jon Clarke 11 Chris Mayor 10 Stephen Myler 9 Alan Dickens (capt);1 Regardt Dreyer 2 Joe Gray 3 Jon Vickers 4 James Cannon 5 Christian Day 6 Mark Easter 7 Scott Gray 8 Mark Hopley
Replacements:16 Brett Sharman 17 Alex Waller 18 Adam Parkins* 19 Owen Giles 20 James Ingle 21 John Brake 22 Barry Everitt 23 Grant Pointer
