Prem Rugby returns on Friday night, with last season's champions hosting last season's bottom place side.
Northampton Saints stormed Prem Rugby last campaign to win their third title in their history, ultimately defeating Exeter Chiefs in an extremely entertaining final.
On the flipside, the relatively newly-named Red Bulls had a torrid season in 2025/26, finishing at the base of the table for a third consecutive season.
However, with 25 players entering and exiting the club this summer, Newcastle's team for the new season will look vastly different to that of last campaign.
For the Saints, Henry Pollock is named to start - just days after signing a new deal with the club - to make his 50th appearance for his boyhood side, alongside Josh Kemeny and Callum Chick in the back row.
Emmanuel Iyogun, Curtis Langdon and Cleopas Kundiona make up the front row, ahead of a lock pairing featuring Ed Prowse and Alex Coles.
Archie McParland partners Fin Smith at half back, as he did for much of last season in the absence of Alex Mitchell - who returns to the bench - with captain Fraser Dingwall and Rory Hutchinson just outside.
James Pater is given the nod at full back, with Tommy Freeman and George Hendy completing the backline.
The Red Bulls have named a much changed side from the one which ended last season, featuring a plethora of new signings made this summer.
Harrison Obatoyinbo is named at full back, with Christian Wade and the exciting Werner Kok either side, while Alex Hearle and Chris Harris make up the centre pairing.
James Elliott is prefered at nine, alongside Brett Connon at 10, completing the backline.
Pouri Rakete-Stones joins George McGuigan and new signing Elliot Millar Mills in the front row, ahead of Oscar Usher and Cam Jordan in the second row, while captain Tom Christie is named in the back row, alongside Max Hicks and Sam Graham.
Newcastle fans will be made to wait to see Hoskins Sotutu in the Prem, with the Red Bulls' new signing named to start on the bench.
Northampton Saints team news
Starting XV: 15 James Pater, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Fraser Dingwall (c), 11 George Hendy, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Archie McParland; 1 Emmanuel Iyogun, 2 Curtis Langdon, 3 Cleopas Kundiona, 4 Alex Coles, 5 Ed Prowse, 6 Josh Kemeny, 7 Henry Pollock, 8 Callum Chick.
Substitutes: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Danilo Fischetti, 18 Ion Neculai, 19 Tom Lockett, 20 Josh Taylor, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Anthony Belleau, 23 Ollie Sleightholme.
Newcastle Red Bulls team news
Starting XV: 15 Harrison Obatoyinbo, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Alex Hearle, 12 Chris Harris, 11 Werner Kok, 10 Brett Connon, 9 James Elliott; 1 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Elliot Millar Mills, 4 Oscar Usher, 5 Cam Jordan, 6 Max Hicks, 7 Tom Christie (c), 8 Sam Graham.
Substitutes: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Tom West, 18 James Harper, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Ollie Leatherbarrow, 21 Simón Benítez Cruz, 22 Zack Henry, 23 Hoskins Sotutu.
