Foden included in strong Saints side for Gloucester clash

And there is more good news for Northampton as Christian Day makes his comeback from the ankle injury that has kept him out since mid-November.

Foden and Day are part of a strong side named by boss Jim Mallinder, who is signalling his intentions in this season’s LV= Cup.

Lee Dickson, like Foden, has been released by England, and is named on the bench, while Phil Dowson starts after being given the weekend off by the Saxons.

Saints currently sit top of Pool 4 with one win – at Newport-Gwent Dragons – in their first two games.

And they know a bonus-point win, coupled with defeats for the other clubs in their pool, Bath, Ospreys and London Welsh, will see them through to the semi-finals.

Mallinder said: “We worked hard to get to the top of our pool and we want to stay there.

“The LV= Cup has been a good competition for us in the past few years and another win would take us one step closer to the semi-finals.

“Gloucester have been going well in the competition, too, so it is not going to be easy for us. But training has been positive, the players are focused and are all looking to move forward with a good result tomorrow.”

Saints: Foden; Wilson, G Pisi, Burrell, May, Lamb, Roberts; A Waller, Haywood, Mercey; Sorenson, Day; Manoa, Dowson, Oakley.

Replacements: McMillan, Tonga’uiha, E Waller, Craig, Nutley, Dickson, Myler, Collins.