Litchfield to captain Saints as they take on Asia Pacific Lions in Colombo

Litchfield enjoyed a superb campaign as he helped to steer Saints to Gallagher PREM glory last season, becoming a fixture in the black, green and gold midfield.

And he will now get a chance to showcase his leadership skills against the Lions.

Saints flew out to Sri Lanka last Saturday evening and have been enjoying life on and off the training pitch during the past few days, recently playing a charity cricket match against a Sri Lanka legends side.

Now it’s back to the day job, with 24 players getting ready to get some minutes under their belt ahead of the PREM Rugby Cup opener at Saracens next Saturday (September 5).

Summer recruit Ion Neculai, the Italy prop, will get a chance to make his first appearance in Saints colours as he lines up at tighthead.

Another close-season signing, Lefty Zigiriadis, who has joined from Ealing Trailfinders, will be at loosehead.

Anthony Belleau gets to steer the Saints ship from fly-half, partnering England Under-18s scrum-half Sonny Goode at half-back.

Archie McParland is available for a bench role after recovering from the leg injury he sustained during the PREM final last season.

Saints team to take on Asia Pacific Lions: 15 James Martin; 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Tom Litchfield (c), 12 Toby Thame, 11 Amena Caqusau; 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Sonny Goode; 1 Lefty Zigiriadis, 2 Henry Walker, 3 Ion Neculai; 4 James Bennett, 5 Chunya Munga; 6 Tom Lockett, 7 Archie Benson, 8 Charlie Ulcoq. Replacements: Ben Alexander, Aiden Reid, Noah Buxton, JJ van der Mescht, George Tonga’uiha, Archie McParland, Thomas Rowe, Fraser Dingwall, Will Catley (Saints Under-18).