Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints: Full team news for the cup semi-final
Curtis Langdon is set to make his long-awaited return to action when Saints travel to Sandy Park for their PREM Rugby Cup semi-final at Exeter Chiefs on Sunday (kick-off 1.30pm).
The England hooker had shoulder surgery last summer, meaning he has not been able to play so far this season.
But Langdon is now fit again and Saints have been given special dispensation to field him against Exeter despite the fact he didn't feature in the pool stages of the cup.
Henry Walker will start in the No.2 shirt this weekend as he lines up alongside Tom West and Luke Green in the front row.
Saints have plenty of established players in their pack, with Tom Lockett and JJ van der Mescht in the second row, and Josh Kemeny and captain Callum Chick joining Charlie Ulcoq in the back row.
Archie McParland and Anthony Belleau return from a weekend off to resume their partnership at half-back, while Rory Hutchinson is able to start at centre as he is not involved in Scotland's Guinness Six Nations game against France this weekend.
James Ramm and George Hendy are part of a talented Saints backline, but Ollie Sleightholme remains on the 'not considered for selection list' this week.
Saints have two guest props on the bench, with loosehead Joe Cowell set to be involved again having impressed earlier in the competition.
Will Davies-King, who, like Cowell, is on loan from Cardiff, is the tighthead cover.
Sleightholme, Emeka Atuanya, Will Glister, Sam Graham, Henry Lumley, Alex Mitchell and Edoardo Todaro make up the 'not considered for selection' list this weekend.
The following players are on international duty: Alex Coles, Fraser Dingwall, Trevor Davison, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Emmanuel Iyogun, Henry Pollock and Fin Smith (all England), Elliot Millar Mills (Scotland), Danilo Fischetti (Italy), Aiden Ainsworth-Cave, James Pater, Oliver Scola, Sonny Tonga’uiha, Jonny Weimann (England U20s), Archie Appleby (Scotland U20s).
As for Exeter, they have plenty of experience in their starting line-up, including England centre Henry Slade.
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Josh Hodge; 14 Paul Brown-Bampoe, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Zack Wimbush, 11 Olly Woodburn; 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Tom Cairns; 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 2 Jack Yeandle (c), 3 Jimmy Roots; 4 Lewis Pearson, 5 Rusi Tuima; 6 Martin Moloney, 7 Finn Worley Brady, 8 Greg Fisilau.
Replacements: 16 Julian Heaven, 17 Ethan Burger, 18 Khwezi Mona, 19 Joe Bailey, 20 Oscar Beckerleg, 21 Charlie Chapman, 22 Will Haydon-Wood, 23 Campbell Ridl.
Saints: 15 George Hendy; 14 James Martin, 13 Tom Litchfield, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 James Ramm; 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Archie McParland; 1 Tom West, 2 Henry Walker, 3 Luke Green; 4 Tom Lockett, 5 JJ Van Der Mescht; 6 Josh Kemeny, 7 Charlie Ulcoq, 8 Callum Chick (c).
Replacements: 16 Curtis Langdon, 17 Joe Cowell (guest player), 18 Will Davies-King (guest player), 19 Chunya Munga, 20 Archie Benson, 21 Tom James, 22 Toby Thame, 23 Amena Caqusau.