Myler to make 200th Saints appearance in clash with Sale

LANDMARK MOMENT - Stephen Myler will make his 200th Saints appearance in the game against Sale (picture by Linda Dawson)

The fly-half, who made his debut in 2006, has racked up an impressive 1,536 points in Northampton colours and is second - behind Paul Grayson - in the club’s all-time points scorers list.

Myler will be only the 11th player to reach the landmark since 2000 and continues his record of having started every game this season.

While Myler remains from the 26-24 defeat at Gloucester last weekend, Saints have opted to make five changes for the clash with Sale.

Alex Corbisiero, Courtney Lawes, Phil Dowson, Lee Dickson and George Pisi are all given starts, with Alex Waller, Samu Manoa, Tom Wood, Kahn Fotuali’i and James WIlson dropping to the bench.

But it is the landmark moment for Myler that will grab most of the attention and Saints boss Jim Mallinder said: “Stephen has been an outstanding player in my time at the club and I’m delighted for him in reaching a landmark like this.

“In the professional era, when players move from club to club and have massive physical demands every week, hitting 200 appearances becomes even more special.

“I’m particularly happy for Stephen that he gets to reach this landmark on home turf. He has been one of our key players over the past few years and has served the Saints and our supporters well.

“I’m sure they’ll join all of us in congratulating him tomorrow night.”

Saints: Foden; Elliott, G Pisi, Burrell, North; Myler, L Dickson; Corbisiero, Hartley (c), Mercey, Lawes, Day, Clark, Dowson, Dickinson.

Replacements: Haywood, A Waller, Denman, Manoa, Wood, Fotuali’i, Wilson, K Pisi.

Sale Sharks: Arscott; Miller, Cueto, Forsyth, Brady; Cipriani, Cliff; Lewis-Roberts, Taylor, Colbilas, Kulemin, Paterson, Braid (c), Seymour, Easter.

Replacements Jones, Harrison, Thomas, Mills, Ostrikov, Fowles, Ford, McKenzie.