Hodgson to make first Saints start against former club Falcons

FIRST START OF THE SEASON - Tom Collins will play at full-back against Newcastle

The 22-year-old will line up at scrum-half against Newcastle Falcons, who he left for Northampton during the summer.

Hodgson is one of a number of men making their first senior appearance of the season, with Tom Collins and Tom Stephenson among the others.

Will Hooley starts at fly-half in place of Stephen Myler, who is one of eight Saints currently on England duty.

Jon Fisher, who has missed the past two games, returns from illness, while Christian Day and captain Phil Dowson add experience to a youthful side.

Samoan star Kahn Fotuali’i is among the replacements for the game at Franklin’s Gardens.

Saints: Collins; Elliott, Stephenson, Waldouck, Packman; Hooley, Hodgson; E Waller, Haywood, Denman; Craig, C Day; Dowson (c), Harrison, Fisher.

Replacements: McMillan, Hobbs-Awoyemi, Mercey, Woolford, Nutley, Fotuali’i, Mallinder, Skelcey.

Newcastle Falcons: Smith; Catterick, Barnes, Helleur, Alex Tuilagi; Clegg, Blair; Vickers, Hawkins, Wilson; Green, MacLeod; Temm, Saull (c), Kolo’ofai.

Replacements: Lawson, Rogers, Tomaszczyk, Robinson, Barrow, Davies, Socino, Hammersley.