2020-21 European Rugby Challenge Cup – Dragons vs Northampton Saints Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Dragons vs Northampton Saints taking place? Saturday 3rd April, 2021 – 17:30 (UK)
Where is Dragons vs Northampton Saints taking place? Rodney Parade, Newport
Where can I get tickets for Dragons vs Northampton Saints? Visit official club websites for ticket information
What television channel is Dragons vs Northampton Saints on? BT Sport have the rights to televise European Rugby Challenge Cup matches so it is worth checking their schedule
Where can I stream Dragons vs Northampton Saints? If televised, BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE TEAM NEWS
Dragons: 15 Jordan Williams, 14 Jonah Holmes, 13 Aneurin Owen, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Ashton Hewitt, 10 Sam Davies, 9 Rhodri Williams (c), 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Harrison Keddie, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Matthew Screech, 4 Joe Davies, 3 Lloyd Fairbrother, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Greg Bateman
Replacements: 16 Taylor Davies, 17 Joshua Reynolds, 18 Leon Brown, 19 Ben Carter, 20 Dan Baker, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Evan Lloyd, 23 Nick Tompkins
Northampton: 15 Harry Mallinder, 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Fraser Dingwall, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 James Grayson, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Teimana Harrison (c), 7 JJ Tonks, 6 Nick Isiekwe, 5 Alex Coles, 4 Alex Moon, 3 Ehren Painter, 2 Mikey Haywood, 1 Nick Auterac
Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Oisín Heffernan, 19 Lewis Bean, 20 Shaun Adendorff, 21 Henry Taylor, 22 Ahsee Tuala, 23 Tom Collins
THE PREDICTION
Dragons ended their Pro14 season in really strong form with three wins from their last four, including an impressive home double against Glasgow and Edinburgh over the last two weeks. They should fancy their chances at what would be a really impressive upset here against travelling Northampton Saints, who are the solid favourites to go through to the quarter-finals. Saints have struggled for consistency in recent weeks but look likely to finish well in the top-half of the Premiership. A 14-62 thrashing of struggling Worcester last Saturday is not likely to be a useful benchmark for this match but the Saints should be able to cover -7 on the road. Dragons will be buoyed by their resurgent end to the Pro14 season and can play with freedom here to keep the scores closer than we might expect.
