Ludlam’s determined to keep Saints marching on
NORTHAMPTON go into battle minus topranked hooker Dylan Hartley once again as they seek a third consecutive league win to boost their play-off chances.
Hartley's ‘grumbly knee' – as Saints boss Chris Boyd puts it – will be of concern to England head coach Eddie Jones with a Six Nations date with Ireland looming.
However, Saints coped in his absence by defeating Exeter last week and with Reece Marshall and tyro James Fish continuing the hooking duties, Boyd's side are determined to inflict more misery on a struggling Wasps team lacking in confidence.
Saints flanker Lewis Ludlam told The Rugby Paper: “Our mindset is key for us going into this game and we know we need to back up two big performances against Worcester and Exeter.
“We've hit a bit of form but the challenge is to continue it. It's easy to get complacent after a couple of big wins but if we can back them up, three successive wins would be incredible in the context of our season and we could push for that top four.”
Piers Francis' shoulder injury means England U20s star Fraser Dingwall has another chance to impress at No.13, with Luther Burrell moving inside.
Up front, Tom Wood captains from blindside, while two further changes see Francois van Wyk and Ehren Painter handed the propping jerseys.
Former England U20s openside Ludlam, 23, continues at No.7 and could yet emerge as a World Cup contender after an impressive first half of the season.
He said: “It's not something I've been thinking about but I'll just try to be a better player each week, find my level and the rest will look after itself.
“After my injuries, this has been a really positive season for me with the amount of opportunities the coaches have given me.
“It's allowed me to pick up my form and confidence and when coaches show faith in you, it helps to push your game on.”
Ludlam, who can make a real statement against an all-international Wasps back row containing England's Brad Shields, added: “It's an incredible opportunity and this is why you play, to challenge yourself against the best – I just can't wait.
“The more big names you play against, the more enjoyable it makes it. You learn the most about yourself as a player and what you can achieve.”
Boosted by an improved performance in defeat to Harlequins last week, Wasps welcome back skipper Joe Launchbury after knee and neck problems.
Boss Dai Young told TRP: “Joe's been a mainstay and we've really missed him.
He's only played three matches this season so it's great to have him back.”
Juan de Jongh returns to the starting line-up for Mike Le Bourgeois at No.12, while the only other change sees Zurabi Zhvania line-up at prop.
Young added: “It doesn't matter who we're playing at the minute, it's more about us.
“Twickenham was a step-up last week and we won the territorial and possession battle against Quins, which we'd lost in most games previously.
“As soon as we get a win, it will take a little bit of pressure off. One good win now would take us back up near the top four and boost confidence.”
TEAMS
WASPS: Le Roux, Bassett, Campagnaro, De Jongh, Daly, Sopoaga, Robson, Zhvania, Cruse, Cooper-Woolley, Launchbury (c), Rowlands, Shields, Young, Carr
Replacements: A Harris, B Harris, Stuart, Myall, Hughes, Hampson, Searle, Lovobalavu
NORTHAMPTON: Tuala, Collins, Dingwall, Burrell, Naiyaravoro, Biggar, Reinach, Van Wyk, Marshall, Painter, Ribbans, Lawes, Wood (c), Ludlam, Harrison
Replacements: Fish, Waller, Franks, Ratuniyarawa, Brussow, Mitchell, Grayson, Kellaway
