CHARLIE WINS A BIRTHDAY TREAT

DYLAN HARTLEY’S six-week ban brought an unexpected present for Charlie Clare yesterday.

On the day he turned 25, Clare was named as starting hooker for Northampton’s Champions Cup clash at Leinster this evening.

He is one of 10 changes made by under-pressure boss Jim Mallinder (above) to the side beaten 37-10 at home by the Irish province a week ago.

That was marred by Hartley’s red for a stiff-arm challenge. Saints will be without him until the end of January and into the void steps Clare, a forward with only two starts for Saints – both in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

With Hartley’s ban, the furore surrounding the handling of George North’s concussion, and Northampton’s dismal run of results, the pressure is piling up.

“Am I comfortable in my position? No, I’m not comfortable,” admitted Mallinder.

“But I’m working hard to turn all of these issues around and get the club back to winning ways.

“You don’t come into this sport and do a job as director of rugby without knowing there’s always going to be these periods.”

Syrian-born billionaire Mohed Altrad is a step closer towards taking ownership of Gloucester.

European Professional Club Rugby yesterday received an application for consent to purchase a majority stake in the club by Altrad, who also owns top French outfit Montpellier.