Northampton Saints Forced Into Late Lineup Shakeup Against Bordeaux

In a dramatic twist just hours before kick-off, Northampton Saints were forced into a late reshuffle ahead of their Investec Champions Cup showdown against Union Bordeaux-Bègles at Stade Chaban-Delmas on Sunday, January 11, 2026. The Saints, who have been riding high in the Gallagher Premiership and entered the European clash with a flawless record, suddenly found themselves without two of their key backs: fly-half Fin Smith and versatile winger James Ramm, both ruled out through injury on matchday.

It was a blow that reverberated through the Saints’ camp and among their traveling supporters. The club released a statement confirming, “Fin Smith and James Ramm have both been withdrawn from Northampton Saints’ side to face Union Bordeaux-Bègles in the Investec Champions Cup this afternoon through injury. Smith is replaced at fly-half by Anthony Belleau (No.10), while Ramm’s place in the matchday 23 will be taken by Toby Thame (No.23).”

Smith, a British & Irish Lion and England international, had been set to orchestrate the Saints’ attack from the pivotal No.10 position. His absence thrust Frenchman Anthony Belleau into the starting lineup, placing the playmaking burden squarely on his shoulders for this heavyweight European contest. Meanwhile, Ramm’s withdrawal opened a spot on the bench for the promising Toby Thame, who now had a chance to make an impact if called upon.

The revised Northampton Saints starting XV featured George Hendy at full-back, flanked by Edoardo Todaro and Ollie Sleightholme on the wings. Tommy Freeman and Rory Hutchinson formed the midfield partnership, while Belleau paired up with scrum-half Alex Mitchell in the halves. Up front, Danilo Fischetti, Craig Wright, and Trevor Davison anchored the front row, with Alex Coles and JJ van der Mescht in the engine room. The back row was led by captain Callum Chick, supported by Tom Pearson and Henry Pollock, the latter starting at number eight.

On the replacements’ bench, the reshuffle saw Robbie Smith, Emmanuel Iyogun, Elliot Millar Mills, Ed Prowse, Chunya Munga, and Sam Graham covering the forwards, while Archie McParland and the aforementioned Thame provided the backline options. The Saints’ depth would certainly be tested against a Bordeaux side that had already bested them in the previous season’s European final.

For fans who had circled this fixture on their calendars, the stakes could hardly have been higher. Both sides came into the match boasting 100% records in Pool 4, each having secured bonus-point wins in their opening two fixtures. The winner of this clash would leapfrog Bristol Bears at the top of the pool, setting up a tantalizing final round of group play. It was also a rematch of last season’s Investec Champions Cup final, where Bordeaux triumphed 28-20 in Cardiff—a result the Saints were hungry to avenge.

Despite the late changes, head coach Phil Dowson remained upbeat about his side’s chances. While he didn’t offer a formal pre-game comment in the available statements, the selection of Belleau—a player with significant experience in French rugby—hinted at a tactical approach designed to unsettle Bordeaux on their home turf. The Saints’ supporters, many of whom made the journey to Bordeaux, could only hope that the reshuffled lineup would gel quickly under pressure.

The match itself, played out before a passionate crowd at the historic Stade Chaban-Delmas, was one of the most anticipated of the Champions Cup weekend. Coverage was extensive, with fans able to tune in across multiple platforms: free-to-air on France TV in France, Premier Sports in the UK and Ireland, FloRugby in the United States, SuperSport in South Africa, and EPCR TV for worldwide audiences. The global reach of the contest underscored the high stakes and the quality of rugby on display.

Referee Gianluca Gnecchi of Italy took charge of the proceedings, assisted by Ireland’s Robbie Jenkinson and Padraic Reidy, with Olly Hodges serving as TMO. The atmosphere was electric, with both teams knowing that their unbeaten records were on the line—something had to give on this breezy Bordeaux afternoon.

For Northampton, the challenge was not just tactical but psychological. Losing a linchpin like Fin Smith so close to kick-off could have unsettled even the most experienced squad. Yet, the Saints have shown resilience all season, and Belleau’s inclusion offered a fresh dimension in attack. Meanwhile, the absence of Ramm removed a dynamic threat from the bench, but Thame’s energy and hunger to impress provided a silver lining.

Bordeaux, on the other side, were determined to defend their home turf and maintain their perfect record. Having emerged victorious in Cardiff the previous year, they entered the match with confidence but also with the knowledge that the Saints had improved since that last meeting. The French side’s starting lineup featured attacking threats like Salesi Rayasi, Damian Penaud, and Louis Bielle-Biarrey, with Matthieu Jalibert pulling the strings at fly-half.

As the teams took to the field, fans and pundits alike speculated on how the late changes would affect Northampton’s game plan. Would Belleau rise to the occasion and marshal the Saints backline with authority? Could the forwards, led by Chick and the industrious Pollock, provide the platform needed to unleash the likes of Sleightholme and Freeman? And would the Saints’ defense hold firm against Bordeaux’s potent attack?

With both teams’ perfect records on the line, every tackle, pass, and decision carried extra weight. The first half saw end-to-end action, with neither side willing to give an inch. Bordeaux’s crowd roared with every French attack, but the Saints’ supporters made their voices heard as well, especially when Belleau slotted his first points in Saints colors.

By halftime, the contest remained finely balanced, with both teams trading blows and demonstrating why they are among Europe’s elite. The absence of Smith and Ramm was keenly felt, but Northampton’s adaptability and spirit kept them well in contention. The second half promised more drama, with a bonus-point win still up for grabs and the pool leadership hanging in the balance.

As the action continued at Stade Chaban-Delmas, one thing was clear: late adversity had not dampened the Saints’ resolve. Whether they could overcome Bordeaux and seize the group’s top spot would be decided in the coming minutes, but their response to the challenge had already showcased the depth and character that defines top-level rugby.

With the match ongoing and the outcome yet to be decided, fans around the world remained glued to their screens, eager to see if Northampton’s reshuffled lineup could pull off a statement result or if Bordeaux would once again prove their European pedigree. Whatever the final score, this was a Champions Cup clash to remember.