London Welsh v Northampton Saints team news

HE'S BACK - Kahn Fotuali'i is in the Saints squad to face London Welsh (picture: Sharon Lucey)

The No.8 has not played since sustaining a neck injury at the back end of the previous campaign.

He was forced to have surgery to solve the problem and has been working hard to return to fitness.

Dickinson will be on the Saints bench, alongside Samoan duo Kahn Fotuali’i and Ken Pisi, who return from representing their country this autumn.

The first 15 is unchanged from last Sunday’s impressive 31-24 victory at Saracens, with James Wilson, who scored twice at Allianz Park, keeping his place on the wing.

Phil Dowson again captains the side in the Aviva Premiership clash.

Meanwhile, there will be a familiar face in the London Welsh ranks as former Saints centre Tom May skippers the home side.

May scored twice for Saints in this fixture at the Kassam Stadium two seasons ago, but will captain Welsh on this occasion.

London Welsh: Jewell; Stegmann, Reynolds, May, Scott; Ross, Rowley; Reeves, Vella; Vea; Schofield, Down; Browne, Kirwan, McCaffrey.

Replacements: Morris, Trevett, Cooper, Corker, Pienaar, Lewis, Robinson, Awcock.

Saints: Foden; Elliott, Stephenson, Burrell, Wilson; Myler, Dickson; A Waller, Haywood, Ma’afu; Craig, Day; Clark, Dowson, Manoa.

Replacements: McMillan, E Waller, Denman, Dickinson, Nutley, Fotuali’i, Waldouck, K Pisi.