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Thompson is suspended for one match under RFU regulations for receiving three yellow cards. It means Chris Budgen takes over in the middle of the front row and Matt Miles comes onto the bench for the game against the French champions.
Head coach Wayne Smith said: 'There is a lot of trust in our squad. A lot of players who are not always in the starting XV put in a lot of effort day after day and some of those best trainers will be playing shortly. Chris Budgen has been one of those for long time, he is not an easy customer and we have got a lot of faith in him to come through.'
It will be the third time the two sides have met in the Heineken Cup. Biarritz announced their arrival in the Heineken Cup by beating the then champions of Europe 37-30 on home soil in 2001, but Northamtpon gained revenge in the return match at Franklin's Gardens when a Ben Cohen hat-trick set up a 32-24 victory.
The match will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Northampton from 1pm and then shown on British Eurosport at 5.30pm.
Northampton Saints: NICK BEAL; ORIOL RIPOL, MARK TUCKER, JOHN LESLIE (capt), BEN COHEN; PAUL GRAYSON,MATT DAWSON; TOM SMITH, CHRIS BUDGEN, ROBBIE MORRIS, STEVE WILLIAMS, MARK CONNORS, ANDREW BLOWERS, BUDGE POUNTNEY, MARK SODEN
Replacements: MATT MILES, MATT STEWART, JON PHILLIPS, GRANT SEELY, JOHNNY HOWARD, JON SLEIGHTHOLME,JAMES BROOKS
