TEAM NEWS | Newcastle Falcons v Saracens Men

Duncan Taylor is eagerly anticipating his first start since recovering from injury as he prepares to return for Saturday’s trip to take on Newcastle Falcons. 

The Scotland star came off the bench last week in the win over Leicester Tigers and is back in the XV for the first time in four months following his arm injury back in November. 

Taylor is one of six changes to the starting line up as the Men in Black travel to Kingston Park looking to build on the dramatic win over Leicester on Saturday. 

Richard Barrington, Tom Woolstencroft and Vincent Koch start in the front-row, with Theo McFarland returning to the second-row alongside Tim Swinson. 

Jackson Wray, Ben Earl and Billy Vunipola operate in the back-row and will be looking to provide strong front-foot ball for a back-line full of pace. 

Aled Davies and captain Alex Goode continue their half-back partnership, and Taylor comes in at inside centre to join Alex Lozowski in the midfield. Rotimi Según returns to the left wing, with Sean Maitland on the right and Elliott Obatoyinbo at full-back. 

On the bench Nick Isiekwe returns from England duty and will be aiming to make a big impact, and the likes of Dom Morris and Alex Lewington can inject plenty of speed in to the back-line when called upon. 

Taylor says Sarries need to use the Leicester triumph as a springboard as they look to keep pushing in the race for the top four.

“It has been frustrating to watch from the sidelines but I’m really excited to be back in the starting line up this weekend. We had a big win last week but we need to back it up against a tough Newcastle side.”

Saracens Men team to play Newcastle Falcons:

1 Richard Barrington 

2 Tom Woolstencroft 

3 Vincent Koch 

4 Theo McFarland

5 Tim Swinson 

6 Jackson Wray

7 Ben Earl

8 Billy Vunipola

9 Aled Davies

10 Alex Goode (c)

11 Rotimi Segun

12 Duncan Taylor

13 Alex Lozowski 

14 Sean Maitland

15 Elliott Obatoyinbo 

Replacements: 

16 Kapeli Pifeleti

17 Eroni Mawi 

18 Sam Wainwright 

19 Nick Isiekwe 

20 Andy Christie

21 Ruben de Haas

22 Dom Morris 

23 Alex Lewington