Northampton Saints vs Exeter Chiefs Prediction: Saints set for stern Chiefs test

Northampton Saints launch their Gallagher Premiership campaign on Sunday afternoon (13:00 BST, TNT Sports 1) by hosting Exeter Chiefs at Franklin’s Gardens in a compelling Round 1 fixture.

Below are my Northampton Saints vs Exeter Chiefs predictions, along with all the key team news and match odds ahead of the East Midlands showdown.

Team news

Without 15 players including four British & Irish Lions - Tommy Freeman, Alex Mitchell, Henry Pollock and Fin Smith - Saints’ director of rugby Phil Dowson has named a side brimming with fresh faces.

Teenage back Edoardo Todaro makes his Gallagher Prem debut on the wing, while French fly-half Anthony Belleau makes his competition bow alongside 20-year-old scrum-half Archie McParland.

Fraser Dingwall captains the side from inside centre, making his return from a hamstring injury. He’s joined in midfield by Tom Litchfield, with Australian James Ramm on the left wing and George Hendy - making his 50th Saints appearance - at full-back.

The pack features Emmanuel Iyogun, Craig Wright and Trevor Davison in the front row, with Alex Coles and Ed Prowse locking the scrum. Angus Scott-Young, Tom Pearson and Callum Chick form a mobile back row.

The bench includes debutants Danilo Fischetti and JJ van der Mescht, alongside Rory Hutchinson, who has recovered from a knock.

Meanwhile, Exeter are boosted by the return of England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who makes his first start for the club since December following shoulder surgery.

Chiefs boss Rob Baxter has deemed Welsh lock Dafydd Jenkins and England A number eight Greg Fisilau fit enough to be named amongst the replacements.

Josh Hodge starts at full-back, flanked by Feyi-Waboso and Paul Brown-Bampoe. Henry Slade and Ben Hammersley form a classy centre pairing, with Harvey Skinner and Stephen Varney in the halves.

Up front, Will Goodrick-Clarke, Joseph Dweba and Josh Iosefa-Scott anchor the scrum. Rusi Tuima and Lewis Pearson start in the second row, while Ethan Roots captains the side from openside flanker, joined by Christ Tshiunza and Ross Vintcent.

Northampton Saints vs Exeter Chiefs Odds

Northampton are slight favourites at 2/9, with Exeter priced at 7/2 to spring an upset away from home. A draw is available at 20/1.

Exeter Chiefs +10 Handicap 3-Way @ 20/21

The Chiefs covered the handicap in both of the clubs’ meetings last season and received a similar 10-point start when they travelled to Franklins Gardens in Round 2 last September.

Northampton held on to win 30-24 but there were some nervy moments at the end and Baxter took plenty of positives from the Chiefs’ resilient display.

It was a different story when the Saints made the trip to Devon in May as Exeter secured a convincing 42-14 win, despite Baxter not being happy with the performance.

Despite their lengthy list of absentees, Saints’ pre-season form has been solid as they have recorded good wins over Bedford and Saracens.

Dowson’s team will relish returning to Franklin’s Gardens after a travel-heavy build-up, but they may struggle to cover the 10-point handicap here.

Saints-Saints Double Result @ 4/7

Northampton have led at half-time and full-time in two of their last three home games against the Chiefs. With Dingwall back to marshal the midfield and Belleau pulling the strings at 10, they should start fast.

Exeter’s back three pose a threat on the counter, especially Hodge, but Saints’ defensive shape and breakdown work - led by Pearson and Chick - could keep them at bay early on.

Expect the black, green and gold to set the tone from the first whistle.

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