TEAM NEWS | Saracens Men v Bristol Bears (GPR - Rd 16)
Jackson Wray will become just the fifth man in the professional era to make 300 appearances for Saracens Men when he leads the team out against Bristol Bears at StoneX Stadium on Saturday.
The 32-year-old will captain the Men in Black on his landmark day and he has described it as a huge honour to join such an exclusive club alongside Alex Goode, Kris Chesney, Kevin Sorrell and John Buckton.
Sarries are without their England contingent until The Showdown 3 in Association with City Index on 25th March, so there are exciting opportunities for a number of players to step up as they try to continue their promising Gallagher Premiership campaign.
Robin Hislop, Theo Dan and Christian Judge start in the front-row, whilst Andrew Kitchener partners Hugh Tizard in the second-row.
Andy Christie is available after training with Scotland this week, and he is joined by Captain Wray and Billy Vunipola in the back-row.
Aled Davies and Manu Vunipola will manage the game as half-backs, with Duncan Taylor and Alex Lozowski in the midfield.
Alex Lewington is on the left wing, whilst Rotimi Segun makes his first start of the season on the right, and Alex Goode will be at full-back.
On the bench there could be a debut for new arrival Tom Ellis, and Francois Hougaard could also make his first appearance for the club after signing in December.
Wray had these words for everyone at the club ahead of his big day.
“It’s an absolute honour for me to captain the team on my 300th appearance. To reach 300 for this club is something I could never have dreamt of as a kid and it’s an incredibly proud moment for myself and my family.
It has been an incredible journey over the last 10 years and the memories made here will last forever. There are too many people to thank but everyone at the club has had an amazing impact and it truly is a special environment that we have here.”
Saracens Men team to play Bristol Bears:
1 Robin Hislop
2 Theo Dan
3 Christian Judge
4 Andrew Kitchener
5 Hugh Tizard
6 Andy Christie
7 Jackson Wray (c)
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Aled Davies
10 Manu Vunipola
11 Alex Lewington
12 Duncan Taylor
13 Alex Lozowski
14 Rotimi Segun
15 Alex Goode
Replacements:
16 Kapeli Pifeleti
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Alec Clarey
19 Cameron Boon
20 Tom Ellis
21 Ivan van Zyl
22 Nick Tompkins
23 Francois Hougaard
