Saints face difficult December double-header in Europe

Racing did the double over Saints last season (picture: Sharon Lucey)

Jim Mallinder’s men will clash with Pool 3’s top seeds, Racing 92, just before Christmas.

The Top 14 giants, who beat Saints twice last season, will be at home on Saturday, December 12 before heading to Franklin’s Gardens on the following Friday.

Northampton have faced crucial back-to-back December clashes with the likes of Ulster and Leinster in recent seasons.

But they will hope to have two wins under their belt by the time they face Racing, with a home game against Scarlets in round one followed by a trip to Glasgow Warriors.

Saints will host Glasgow in round five in January before travelling to Scarlets to conclude their pool stage campaign.

Last season’s Aviva Premiership-table-toppers made the quarter-finals last term, but were eliminated with a humbling 37-5 defeat at Clermont Auvergne.

Saints’ 2015/16 Champions Cup fixtures...

Saturday, November 14: Scarlets (h), 7.45pm, BT Sport

Saturday, November 21: Glasgow Warriors (a), 5.15pm, Sky Sports

Saturday, December 12: Racing 92 (a), 4.15pm, BT Sport

Friday, December 18: Racing 92 (h), 7.45pm, BT Sport

15/16/17 January: Glasgow (h)

22/23/24 January: Scarlets (a)