TEAM NEWS | Saracens Men v Edinburgh Rugby (HCC - Rd 1)
Captain Owen Farrell says the Heineken Champions Cup brings the best out of the squad as Saracens Men prepare for their return to the top table of European Rugby this weekend.
The Men in Black welcome Edinburgh Rugby to StoneX Stadium on Sunday for their first match in the Heineken Champions Cup since the 2019/20 season, and Director of Rugby Mark McCall has named a squad full of international stars for the opener following the conclusion of the Autumn Nations Series.
Sarries will be looking to get off to a strong start in a tricky pool against the side from the Scottish capital as well as Lyon, who won the Challenge Cup last season.
Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Marco Riccioni start in the front-row, with Maro Itoje and Hugh Tizard behind in the second-row.
Theo McFarland, Ben Earl and Billy Vunipola are reunited in what has become a formidable back-row.
Scrum-half Ivan van Zyl partners fly-half and Captain Owen Farrell, with Nick Tompkins and Alex Lozowski back in the midfield. Sean Maitland returns to the left wing, with Alex Lewington on the right and Elliot Daly at full-back.
On the bench there are welcome returns for Tom Woolstencroft and Aled Davies following injuries, and Alex Goode will also be looking to add some stardust when called upon.
Farrell is excited to get back to European rugby at a packed StoneX on Sunday.
“This competition is very special, this club has enjoyed some incredible moments over the years and we’ll be working to ensure we can continue that this season.
They have quality all over the pitch so we’ll need to make sure we’re on top of our game to get off to a good start.”
Saracens Men team to play Edinburgh Rugby:
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Jamie George
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Maro Itoje
5 Hugh Tizard
6 Theo McFarland
7 Ben Earl
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Ivan van Zyl
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Sean Maitland
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Alex Lozowski
14 Alex Lewington
15 Elliot Daly
Replacements:
16 Tom Woolstencroft
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Alec Clarey
19 Callum Hunter-Hill
20 Andy Christie
21 Jackson Wray
22 Aled Davies
23 Alex Goode