Saints name team to face Castres in first pre-season friendly

Tom Wood will captain Saints in the first half against Castres on Saturday (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

Saints have been training in the south of France since arriving there last Sunday and will get ready for their first warm-up fixture, which kicks off at 6pm (CET) on Saturday.

Wood is part of a strong first-half line-up, which also includes the likes of Lee Dickson, Luther Burrell and James Wilson.

Ben Foden will skipper the side in the second period, with the team after the break including men such as Stephen Myler and Teimana Harrison.

Winger Tom Collins, who impressed in the recent Singha Premiership Rugby 7s series, will be the only player to start both halves.

Saints’ pre-season campaign also includes games against Cornish Pirates, Rotherham Titans and Ulster.

The Aviva Premiership season kicks off on September 3, with Mallinder’s men facing Bath at Franklin’s Gardens.

Saints team to face Castres: First half: James Wilson; Ken Pisi, Ahsee Tuala, Luther Burrell, Tom Collins; JJ Hanrahan, Lee Dickson; Campese Ma’afu, Charlie Clare, Gareth Denman, Jordan Onojaife, James Craig, Tom Wood (c), Ben Nutley, Sion Bennett

Second half: Ben Foden (c); Howard Packman, George Pisi, Tom Stephenson, Tom Collins; Stephen Myler, Tom Kessell; Alex Waller, Reece Marshall, Kieran Brookes, Josh Peters, Michael Paterson, Jamie Gibson, Lewis Ludlam, Teimana Harrison