Northampton v Leeds: Teams
Australia lock Dan Vickerman will play for Northampton in the LV= Cup clash against Leeds on Saturday.
Last Updated: 04/02/11 4:20pm
Australia lock Dan Vickerman will play for Northampton in the LV= Cup clash against Leeds on Saturday.
Vickerman played for the Saints against Sale last season, but he has returned to the club in a bid to build up his fitness.
And after impressing in training, the 54-Test veteran has been added to the bench.
"Dan wants to play in the World Cup and approached us about the possibility of training with us," said director of rugby Jim Mallinder.
"With Courtney Lawes injured and Christian Day called up to the Saxons we also had an opportunity to give an experienced lock like Dan some game time.
"He's worked hard on his fitness and now he has to prove his match fitness too and we'll take things from there."
Impression
Mallinder has made a number of changes for the match with Paul Diggin, Jon Clarke, James Downey, Shane Geraghty and Ryan Powell added to the backs.
In the pack Roger Wilson, Phil Dowson, Brian Mujati and Soane Tonga'uiha all start.
Leeds flanker Hendre Fourie will start against the Saints after he was released by England.
Fourie missed out on the England side after battling back from a calf injury, so he will be looking to make an impression in the Anglo-Welsh tournament.
Daniel Browne also comes into the pack to face his former club, while Luther Burrell, James Tincknell and Scott Mathie are added to the backs.
Northampton: 15 Greig Tonks, 14 Paul Diggin, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Ryan Powell, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Mark Easter, 6 Phil Dowson (c), 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 Adam Eustace, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Brett Sharman, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Andy Long, 17 Ben Prescott, 18 Tom Mercey, 19 Dan Vickerman, 20 Ben Nutley, 21 Stuart Commins, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Scott Armstrong.
Leeds: 15 Cieron Thomas, 14 Lee Blackett, 13 James Tincknall, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Michael Stephenson, 10 Lachlan Mackay, 9 Scott Mathie, 8 Alfie Tooala, 7 Hendre Fourie, 6 Daniel Browne, 5 Kearnan Myall, 4 Tom Dentom, 3 Phil Swainston, 2 Phil Nilsen, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacements: 16 Scott Freer, 17 Miguel Alonso, 18 Gareth Denman, 19 Marco Wentzel, 20 Jacob Rowan, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Peter Wackett, 23 Leigh Hinton.