However, Rob Baxter insists his new-look young team should ‘be delighted’ by moments like these.<\/p>\n
“The last thing I said to the players was this is a top of the table clash. This is brilliant, there’s no pressure here, this is just fun, this is just great. Every single one of you should be delighted by playing in these kind of games because the lads are enjoying it.” said Baxter<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Rob Baxter’s men are also in something of a purple patch themselves ahead of this top of the table clash, with wins in four of their last five matches in all competitions.<\/p>\n
Last week’s win against Bristol was yet another huge statement from this young group, who are punching well above their weight this season. A win on Saturday would also see them leapfrog the Saints and move into first place in the table, but can they take this opportunity?<\/p>\n
In team news, Baxter has made five changes to the side that beat Bristol last weekend.<\/p>\n
Jack Yeandle returns to the side at hooker, and he is sandwiched between Nika Abuladze and Josh Iosefa-Scott in the front row. Lewis Pearson comes in for Rusi Tuima in the second-row, and Pearson will again link-up with skipper Dafydd Jenkin in the engine room.<\/p>\n
Jacques Vermeulen returns to the starting team and he features alongside Ethan Roots and Greg Fisilau in the back-row.<\/p>\n
In the back division, Stu Townsend and Harvey Skinner will continue their blossoming half-back partnership. Joe Hawkins returns to the starting line-up in place of Ollie Devoto. The Welsh international will feature alongside man of the moment Henry Slade in the centres, and Tommy Wyatt returns to the side at full-back.<\/p>\n
The red hot Immanuel Feyi-Waboso again features on the wing, as does Ben Hammersley after his cameo in the 15 jersey last week.<\/p>\n
On the bench, in-form prop Ehran Painter will look to make an impact against his former employer.<\/p>\n
TEAMS IN FULL:<\/h3>\n
Northampton Saints:<\/strong> 15 George Furbank (c), 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Burger Odendaal, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Tom Litchfield, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Callum Braley; 1 Tarek Haffar, 2 Sam Matavesi, 3 Trevor Davison, 4 Alex Moon, 5 Chunya Munga, 6 Alex Coles, 7 Angus Scott-Young, 8 Sam Graham<\/p>\n\n
\n
Replacements:<\/strong> 16 Curtis Langdon, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun, 18 Elliot Millar Mills, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Tom Pearson, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Fraser Dingwall, 23 Tommy Freeman<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nExeter Chiefs: <\/strong>15 Tommy Wyatt,\u00a014 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso,\u00a013 Henry Slade,\u00a012 Joe Hawkins, 11 Ben Hammersley, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stu Townsend; 1 Nika Abuladze, 2 Jack Yeandle, 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 4 Lewis Pearson, 5 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 6 Ethan Roots, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 8 Greg Fisilau<\/p>\nReplacements:\u00a0<\/strong>16 Max Norey, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Ehren Painter, 19 Rusi Tuima, 20 Ross Vintcent, 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Ollie Devoto, 23 Zack Wimbush<\/p>\nFollow us on Twitter\u00a0@ProstInt<\/p>\n
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Embed from Getty Images Northampton Saints are off on their travels for a hotly anticipated top of the table clash against the Exeter Chiefs, as they look to cement their place at the summit. The Saints are currently on a six game winning run, including last weeks statement 21-17 victory over Sale Sharks, but they<\/p>\n
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