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England head coach Eddie Jones got some welcome news with Billy Vunipola set for a return on Sunday after being named on the bench for Saracens this weekend.
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The number eight missed the entire Natwest 6 Nations after fracturing his arm in January.
England captain Dylan Hartley will miss England’s three-match tour to South Africa because of concussion, while number eight Nathan Hughes and second row Courtney Lawes are also absent. In the backs Jonathan Joesph and Anthony Watson won’t be traveling to take on the Springboks either. Jones is set to name his squad for the tour in less than two weeks time.
Speaking to Saracens.com yesterday Mark McCall hinted that Vunipola would make his eagerly anticipated return against London Irish in the Premiership.
“It’s been almost 16 weeks that he’s been out and we just need to be careful to put him into a rugby match without playing much rugby; although he’s been out for that long, he was out for quite a long time with his previous injury and he doesn’t really have a bank of games behind him this year. I think he’s only played three full matches.
“It would be useful for him to have a couple of games before the semi-final for him to get back to somewhere near his best. The more game time he can get the better for Billy.”
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Saracens meanwhile have further good news on the injury front, with their Springbok tighthead prop Vincent Koch making his first start since February after the being sidelined with an ankle problem.
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Koch is one of seven changes to the Saracens side that secured a place in the Aviva Premiership play-offs against Bath last time out.
England duo Jamie George and Maro Itoje come back into the pack with Michael Rhodes selected at six.
In the backs, Alex Goode is reinstated at full-back with Liam Williams moving back to the wing. Ben Spencer and Duncan Taylor also start.
Meanwhile, Scotland international Blair Cowan has returned to London Irish.
The 32-year-old joined Saracens on loan from the Exiles as back row cover in February, but has been recalled due to several injuries at his parent club.
In total, Cowan featured four times for the Saracens, scoring in the Champions Cup quarter-final defeat to Leinster.
Saracens team to face London Irish (Sarries appearances):
15 Alex Goode (257)
14 Liam Williams (14)
13 Duncan Taylor (113)
12 Brad Barritt (219)
11 Sean Maitland (38)
10 Owen Farrell (170)
9 Ben Spencer (128)
1 Mako Vunipola (140)
2 Jamie George (192)
3 Vincent Koch (35)
4 Maro Itoje (90)
5 George Kruis (156)
6 Michael Rhodes (65)
7 Schalk Burger (49)
8 Jackson Wray (197)
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16 Schalk Brits (218)
17 Richard Barrington (132)
18 Juan Figallo (86)
19 Nick Isiekwe (31)
20 Billy Vunipola (82)
21 Richard Wigglesworth (206)
22 Alex Lozowski (57)
23 Marcelo Bosch (117)
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