TEAM NEWS | Harlequins v Saracens Men

Manu Vunipola says it is an honour to captain the side in their Premiership Rugby Cup trip to Harlequins on Wednesday evening. 

The fly-half will lead a side that includes a mix of youth and experience as they open their Cup campaign at The Twickenham Stoop. 

There are three debuts in the starting line-up, with James Flynn, Alex Wardell and Tobias Elliott all getting their first run-outs in the Saracens shirt. 

Flynn joins Ethan Lewis and Alec Clarey in the front-row, with Wardell partnering Obinna Nkwocha in the second-row. Theo Dan, Toby Knight and Ollie Stonham make up an energetic back-row. 

Sam Bryan gets the nod at number nine with the skipper Vunipola at 10, and the midfield pairing of Josh Hallett and Brandon Jackson will be looking to take advantage of any front-foot ball. 

Ben Harris will be on the left wing, with Francis Moore on the right and Elliott taking control at 15. 

There are three more debuts on the bench, as Nathan Michelow, Jenson McInulty and Charlie Reynolds-West could make their first appearances for the club. 

Vunipola is excited to get out there for a midweek derby.

“The start of the Cup campaign is a massively exciting time for us to get some minutes but also a great opportunity to play for this club. 

It’s always an honour to captain the boys and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in with them. Last year didn’t really go how we wanted it to so hopefully we can start well and get a good performance away to Quins.”

Saracens Men team to play Harlequins: 

1 James Flynn

2 Ethan Lewis

3 Alec Clarey

4 Alex Wardell 

5 Obinna Nkwocha 

6 Theo Dan

7 Toby Knight

8 Ollie Stonham 

9 Sam Bryan

10 Manu Vunipola (c)

11 Ben Harris 

12 Josh Hallett

13 Brandon Jackson 

14 Francis Moore 

15 Tobias Elliott 

Replacements: 

16 Samson Adejimi

17 Jevaughn Warren 

18 Sam Wainwright 

19 Kaden Pearce-Paul 

20 Nathan Michelow 

21 Charlie Bracken

22 Jenson McInulty

23 Charlie Reynolds-West