Due to a series of injuries, Dawson has only begun two games since returning from the Rugby World Cup. He was on the bench against Llanelli Scarlets on Sunday after he was made available for selection following a fitness test on a shoulder problem, but did not make it on to the pitch.

The No.9 will now be desperate to prove his fitness to England coach Sir Clive Woodward ahead of the start of the RBS Six Nations championship.

Meanwhile, with England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson out for England’s opening game against Italy on February 15, Dawson’s long-time halfback partner Paul Grayson will be hoping to come off the bench at some point in proceedings.

Also looking for a chance will be two Northampton Saints Academy players, who have earned their places on the bench after performing well for the club’s second team, the Wanderers, in the Zurich A League.

Centre Andy Vilk, 22, has scored 14 tries in his last 11 appearances, including a hat-trick against the Newcastle Falcons’ second team.

Northampton-born No.8 Brett McNamee, 19, also scored a try last Monday, as did Spanish wing Oriol Ripol, who has been rewarded with a place in the full XV.

Rob Hunter is back on the bench after injuring his neck last month, and former Tonga captain, Tevita Taumoepeau, will make his Franklin’s Gardens debut at tighthead.

Not included in the squad this week are John Leslie and Robbie Morris, who both started last weekend’s Heineken Cup game.

"We are resting John Leslie and Robbie Morris because they got battered last weekend," said coach Wayne Smith.

"Mark Robinson also got battered, so we are starting with ’Daws’. We will have a late fitness test on Steve Thompson after he injured his ankle against Llanelli."

Northampton Saints: 15 Bruce Reihana (co-captain), 14 Oriol Ripol, 13 Chris Hyndman, 12 Mark Tucker, 11 Ben Cohen, 10 Shane Drahm, 9 Matt Dawson, 8 Grant Seely, 7 Darren Fox, 6 Andrew Blowers (co-captain), 5 Mark Connors, 4 Matt Lord, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Dan Richmond, 1 Tom Smith.Replacements: 16 Steve Thompson/Matt Miles, 17 Chris Budgen, 18 Rob Hunter, 19 Brett McNamee, 20 Mark Robinson, 21 Andy Vilk, 22 Paul Grayson.

Kick-off: 15.00 GMT

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