Tom May will move to third in his own right in the Aviva Premiership’s all-time appearance list when he leads London Welsh out against Northampton Saints today.

The 36-year-old is set to play his 246th match in English rugby’s top flight as he replaces the injured James Lewis at inside centre.

It will be team captain May’s last competitive away match after announcing he would retire at the end of the season.

He is among six changes for the trip to Franklin’s Gardens.

  •  Sport

Seb Jewell returns, Alan Awcock moves to the wing, while Paul Rowley replaces Rob Lewis at scrum half.

In the forwards, Daniel Browne starts and Opeti Fonua comes in for the suspended Chris Hala’ufia.

Head coach Rowland Phillips says there is genuine excitement around his squad ahead of today’s match.

“It is going to be a tough place to go, but we have a chance to show people how much we have improved.

“These players get excited about playing against the likes of Northampton.”

He continued: “That will always take you to a point, but we have to have the accuracy, get the set pieces right and our defence has to deal with the opposition’s threat.

“We have to create opportunities, but if you throw the blanket of belief and determination over the top you do become more competitive.”

TODAY’S TEAMS Northampton Saints: Tuala, K Pisi, G Pisi, Burrell, Elliott, Myler, Dickson, Waller, Hartley, Denman, Lawes, Day, Wood, Clark, Manoa. Reps: Haywood, Corbisiero, Ma’afu, Dickinson, Fisher, Fotuali’i, Stephenson, Wilson.

London Welsh: Jewell, Awcock, Reynolds, May, Elder, Barkley, Rowley, Trevett, Britton, Cooper, West, Corker, Browne, Waters, Fonua. Reps: Morris, Aholelei, Gilding, Down, McNally, Liston, R Lewis, Robinson.