New Northampton Saints signing Ben Foden has been named on the bench for his side’s season opener against Worcester.

The former Sale player who impressed at full-back last season for the Sharks but moved clubs insisting that he wanted to play scrum-half, has lost out to fellow newcomer Lee Dickson, who moved from Newcastle in the summer.

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder said: “Worcester are one of the up and coming teams in England. They finished last season strongly in the Premiership and reached the Challenge Cup final. Mike Ruddock has also brought in some high quality players over the summer. They also have a fantastic record at Franklin’s Gardens in recent years, which shouldn’t be forgotten.

“We’ve performed well in pre-season but that will not matter come Sunday afternoon. It is a massive challenge that the players and coaches are all excited about and motivated to meet. We have been working hard through the week and will give it our all against the Warriors.”

Mallinder has handed six of the summer signings their Saints debuts. Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe and Christian Day partner each other in the second row, Roger Wilson, Neil Best and Scott Gray start in the back row while England Saxon Dickson wears the number nine shirt. Meanwhile out wide the game will see the return of Scotland winger Sean Lamont to Saints colours.

Northampton Saints
15 Bruce Reihana (capt)
14 Chris Ashton
13 Jon Clarke
12 James Downey
11 Sean Lamont
10 Carlos Spencer
9 Lee Dickson
1 Soane Tonga’uiha
2 Paul Shields
3 Euan Murray
4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe
5 Christian Day
6 Neil Best
7 Scott Gray
8 Roger Wilson

Replacements
16 Dylan Hartley
17 Tom Smith
18 Alex Rae
19 Mark Hopley
20 Ben Foden
21 Stephen Myler
22 Joe Ansbro