Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that he has plenty of options in his squad this year.

Shane Geraghty has impressed in place of the injured Stephen Myler, and last season's top try-scorer, Paul Diggin, was left out against Gloucester.

Mallinder told BBC Radio Northampton: "It is a long season, and you can't get through with the same 15, or even 22.

"We'll keep rotating, but keep the spine of the team as strong as we possibly can."

James Downey, who took a knock in the Gloucester match tackling Lesley Vainikolo, is a doubt for the Leeds game.

"We're looking at a couple of changes, and we might rotate the pack. We'll look at Downey, and we wouldn't risk him," Mallinder said.

"We've got good players in the squad, so could freshen things up there."

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