Shock as Spencer is left out of squad
Speculation over Carlos Spencer's future at Saints looks set to continue after the former All Black was left out of today's 22 to take on Toulon.
Saints need to win their final European Challenge Cup pool two game to guarantee a home draw for the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
The form of Stephen Myler has seen Spencer dropped to the bench for the last eight games, but now he is not even down as a replacement for the clash with former New Zealand team-mate Tana Umaga's side.
Speculation was rife in France last week that Spencer was in talks about a move to today's opponents Toulon, but the French club and Saints boss Jim Mallinder denied that was true.
Mallinder said Spencer played well for the Wanderers against a young Henley side on Monday night, but Irish fly-half Barry Everitt replaces the former All Black on the bench.
Insiders at the club are saying nothing should be read into the decision though, with Everitt needing some game time after making just three appearances this season.
Scrum-half Alan Dickens has also been included as a replacement with Lee Dickson rested.
Dickens has made just one appearance off the bench since joining from Saracens in the summer. Mallinder has also decided to leave out Paul Diggin, with Chris Ashton and Sean Lamont the two wingers.
Dylan Hartley is rested on the bench for Paul Shields and Euan Murray returns to the front row and Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe to the second row.
Mallinder said: "We were drawn in a difficult pool and have had to play well to earn our wins so far. We will have to play well again today against Toulon."
Saints team:
Bruce Reihana (capt), Chris Ashton, Jon Clarke, James Downey, Sean Lamont, Stephen Myler, Ben Foden, Soane Tonga'uiha, Paul Shields, Euan Murray, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, Juandre Kruger, Courtney Lawes, Scott Gray, Mark Easter, , Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Tom Smith, Alex Rae, Mark Hopley, Alan Dickens, Barry Everitt, Chris Mayor
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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