The 25-year-old's inclusion is one of eight alterations to the Saints side who lost to Leicester Tigers last weekend, with hooker James Fish, prop Paul Hill, lock Alex Moon and flanker Lewis Ludlam all coming into the pack.

Full-back Tommy Freeman returns to the back three, while there is a new-look half-back pairing in Tom James and James Grayson.

There are six changes to the Sale side defeated by Worcester Warriors, with hooker Akker van der Merwe, lock Jean-Luc du Preez and fly-half AJ MacGinty returning from international duty.

Jono Ross is reinstated at flanker and will captain the side, while winger Byron McGuigan and full-back Simon Hammersley are also recalled.

Elsewhere, Heineken Champions Cup sides Bristol Bears and Exeter Chiefs both welcome EPCR Challenge Cup opposition in Worcester and Newcastle Falcons respectively.

In Bristol’s 1,000th competitive game, prop Jake Woolmore and hooker Harry Thacker return, while centre Alapati Leiua is the solitary change to the backs who started the Bears’ win at London Irish last weekend.

Exeter also make three changes to a winning team, with Joe Simmonds brought in at full-back, Josh Hodge on the wing and Jannes Kirsten at flanker after the Chiefs’ success at Gloucester.

In the TOP 14 on Saturday, Stade Français Paris welcome Montpellier Hérault Rugby in the single clash between Heineken Champions Cup teams.

Castres Olympique and Racing 92 are away at Lyon and CA Brive respectively, while last season’s Heineken Champions Cup winners, Stade Toulousain, host USAP.

Sunday’s domestic action sees Wasps entertain Harlequins in the Gallagher Premiership, while ASM Clermont Auvergne are at home to three-time European champions RC Toulon.

Flanker Karl Wilkins is set to make his Northampton Saints debut as they travel to Heineken Champions Cup rivals Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday.