Dolan handed chance to stake his claim against Rotherham

The USA No.8 moved to Northampton in December, but was unable to force his way into the first team, with Samu Manoa and Sam Dickinson blocking his path.

But with Manoa given the afternoon off and Dickinson currently injured, Dolan will take his place in the back row for Saints’ opening pre-season encounter.

Jim Mallinder has opted to field a mix of youth and experience with the the likes of Jamie Elliott and Dom Waldouck joined in the back row by youngsters such as Howard Packman and Rory Hutchinson.

Gareth Denman will face his former club as he starts at tighthead, while senior stars including James Wilson and Ken Pisi take their place on the bench.

Also among the replacements is Jon Fisher, the versatile forward, who was most recently at London Irish.

Saints: Packman; Elliott, Hutchinson, Waldouck, Skelcey; Hooley, A Day; E Waller, McMillan, Denman; Woolford, Craig; Dowson, Harrison, Dolan.

Replacements: Marshall, Hobbs-Awoyemi, Parkins, Onojaife, C Day, Clark, Conner, Fisher, Robinson, Olver, G Dickson, Stephenson, K Pisi, Wilson.