Pisi back in starting line-up as Saints face Bath

STARTING ROLE - Dylan Hartley returns to the Saints first 15 for the game against Bath (Picture: Linda Dawson)

The Samoan centre saw his six-week suspension for a tip tackle on Ireland’s Tommy Bowe during an autumn international come to an end on Monday.

And he is thrust straight back into the first 15 for the visit of the Aviva Premiership’s third-placed outfit.

That means Tom Collins drops out of the side which claimed a last-gasp 17-15 win at Wasps last weekend, with George North switching from outside centre to wing.

Jim Mallinder has also opted to start with England stars Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes, who were both on the bench at Adams Park last Saturday.

Mike Haywood and Sam Dickinson take their place on the bench.

Bath make one change to the team which beat Harlequins 14-3 last weekend, with former Saints scrum-half Martin Roberts coming into the team in place of Peter Stringer.

Saints: K Pisi; Elliott, G Pisi, Burrell, North; Myler, Fotuali’i; A Waller, Hartley (c), Ma’afu, Lawes, Day, Clark, Wood, Manoa.

Replacements: Haywood, E Waller, Mercey, Dowson, Dickinson, L Dickson, G Dickson, Collins.

Bath: Watson; Agulla, Joseph, Eastmond, Banahan; Ford, Roberts; James, Webber, Perenise, Hooper (c), Attwood, Garvey, Louw, Fearns.

Replacements: Guinazu, Catt, Orlandi, Day, Houston, Stringer, Heathcote, Abendanon.