England duo fit for Saints’ clash with Gloucester
Jim Mallinder has confirmed England duo Ben Foden and Stephen Myler will be fit to face Gloucester on Friday.
Myler did not play during pre-season, with a calf injury ruling him out of the games against Rotherham Titans, Leinster, Moseley and Newport-Gwent Dragons.
Foden got some game time against Leinster, but, having been named in the team to face the Dragons last week, the full-back was forced to pull out at the last minute.
But Mallinder says that was merely precautionary and insists the pair will be available for Friday’s Aviva Premiership opener at Franklin’s Gardens.
“They’ve trained this week so they’re fully fit,” said the director of rugby. “You can’t risk players sometimes.
“Ben Foden turned his ankle just before the warm-up last week so he’s been fine, we’ve just been looking after him, and Stephen Myler’s trained all week.”
Saints will be without Sam Dickinson against Gloucester as the No.8 out for three months after having surgery on a neck injury.
But back row forward Jon Fisher, who signed a permanent deal at the Gardens this week following a successful trial period, could be in line to make his Northampton debut.