South African wing Courtnall Skosan, who scored two tries in three games in his maiden Heineken Champions Cup campaign last season, returns for Northampton Saints as they host Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher Premiership on Friday.

Skosan, who will be aiming to add to his Heineken Champions Cup try haul when Saints travel to Stade Rochelais in their Pool B opener on December 10, hasn’t featured since the beginning of last month.

The 31-year-old is one of five changes to the side who started last Saturday’s 45-31 win over Bristol Bears, with full-back Tommy Freeman also recalled and Tom James introduced at scrum-half the other alterations to the backs.

In the pack, prop Ehren Painter is called up for his first Premiership start of the season, while Angus Scott-Young is brought in at blindside flanker, with Sam Graham shifting to No.8.

Meanwhile, 2020 Heineken Champions Cup winners Exeter have made three alterations following their 38-22 loss at Gloucester Rugby last Friday.

Joe Simmonds replaces the injured Harvey Skinner at fly-half, while Jack Dunne and Dan John start at lock and on the wing respectively in the absence of Jonny Gray and Stuart Hogg, who are away with Scotland. John’s inclusion sees Josh Hodge slot in at full-back, having lined up on the wing last week.