TEAM NEWS | Saracens Men v Gloucester Rugby (GPR - Rd 15)
Theo Dan says the squad can’t wait to be back at StoneX Stadium this Saturday as they look to reignite their season with the race for the play-offs heating up.
The Men in Black will run out at their home for the first time in 84 days, and know they need to get back to winning ways with just four rounds of Gallagher Premiership action remaining.
Gloucester head to North London buoyed by a Premiership Cup triumph and a place in the European Challenge Cup Semi Finals, making for a mouth-watering clash on Saturday afternoon.
The coaches have made a handful of changes after the trip to Bordeaux as all attention now turns to the league and securing a semi-final spot.
Mako Vunipola, Dan and Marco Riccioni start in an energetic front-row, with Maro Itoje and Theo McFarland in the second-row.
An explosive back-row of Juan Martin Gonzalez, Ben Earl and Tom Willis is guaranteed to get fans off their seats at what is expected to be a sold-out StoneX.
Aled Davies returns to start at scrum-half, and Owen Farrell has also recovered from a hamstring injury to start at fly-half.
Nick Tompkins and Lucio Cinti continue their midfield partnership, with a pacy back-three of Tom Parton, Rotimi Segun and Alex Goode.
On the bench there is a wealth of experience with the likes of Jamie George, Eroni Mawi, Nick Isiekwe and Billy Vunipola all ready to enter proceedings when called upon.
Dan, who is making his first start since The Showdown at Tottenham Hotspur is adamant that the group are looking to kick on with some crucial matches on the agenda.
“While the result in France wasn’t what we wanted, we’re looking forward to bouncing back this weekend against Gloucester.
Playing at StoneX is always a special atmosphere and we can’t wait for it.”
Saracens Men team to play Gloucester Rugby:
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Theo Dan
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Maro Itoje
5 Theo McFarland
6 Juan Martin Gonzalez
7 Ben Earl
8 Tom Willis
9 Aled Davies
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Tom Parton
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Lucio Cinti
14 Rotimi Segun
15 Alex Goode
Replacements:
16 Jamie George
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Ollie Hoskins
19 Nick Isiekwe
20 Billy Vunipola
21 Gareth Simpson
22 Manu Vunipola
23 Olly Hartley