Saints have made six changes to their starting line-up for tomorrow’s make-or-break Heineken Cup clash against Ulster in Belfast - with Courtney Lawes and Brian Mujati among those dropped.
Also making way are the suspended Dylan Hartley and the half-back combination of Ryan Lamb and Martin Roberts, while Dom Waldouck drops out altogether due to injury.
Stepping in to the fray for Saints are England internationals Lee Dickson and Phil Dowson at scrum-half and in the back row respectively, fly-half Stephen Myler, centre Tom May, hooker Mike Haywood and prop Paul Doran-Jones.
Dowson will skipper the side in place of the banned Hartley.
The Saints head to Ravenhill still smarting from their 25-6 beating at the hands of Ulster at Franklin’s Gardens and Mallinder, who earluer in the week promised to freshen his side up, says that defeat has provided plenty of motivation for the trip across the Irish Sea.
“Ulster played very well last week, but we massively underperformed as well and the players are extremely determined to put things right this weekend,” said Mallinder.
“Tomorrow evening’s match is as hard as they come. Ravenhill is a tough place to play and we know the form that Ulster have at the moment.
“Last week’s match hurt for everyone at the club – players, coaches and supporters.
“This has provided plenty of motivation for all of us to perform at the level we know we can and we are heading to Belfast ready to meet the challenge head on.”
Saints team to play Ulster, Heineken Cup, Ravenhill, Saturday, December 15, ko 6pm: Ben Foden; Ken Pisi, George Pisi, Tom May, Jamie Elliott; Stephen Myler, Lee Dickson; Soane Tonga’uiha, Mike Haywood, Paul Doran-Jones, Samu Manoa, Calum Clark, Tom Wood, Phil Dowson, GJ Van Velze.
Replacements: Ross McMillan, Alex Waller, Brian Mujati, Mark Sorenson, Courtney Lawes, Martin Roberts, Ryan Lamb, Luther Burrell
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