Wood joins Teimana Harrison and Jamie Gibson in the back row as Saints make their second trip of the season to Newport.
David Ribbans is reunited with Courtney Lawes in the second row after the England international missed out on Saints’ last two games.
Mikey Haywood comes in for club co-captain Dylan Hartley to make his first start of the season at hooker, with Ben Franks returning to the starting line-up to complete the front row alongside captain Alex Waller.
It’s a first start in Black, Green and Gold for 21-year-old Alex Mitchell as he joins Dan Biggar to form a new half back combination.
Tickets to the European Challenge Cup clash on home soil remain on sale NOW. Click HERE to buy and join us under the lights at Rodney Parade.
Northampton: Ahsee Tuala, Tom Collins, Andrew Kellaway, Piers Francis, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Dan Biggar, Alex Mitchell; Alex Waller (c), Mikey Haywood, Ben Franks, David Ribbans, Courtney Lawes, Jamie Gibson, Tom Wood, Teimana Harrison
Replacements: James Fish, Francois Van Wyk, Ehren Painter, Dom Barrow, Lewis Ludlam, Cobus Reinach, James Grayson, Luther Burrell
