'It's a pity the season doesn't start a bit later sometimes'

Saracens boss Mark McCall has bemoaned how the Gallagher Premiership in England doesn’t start a bit later so that all the England Test players can be available across the league and the tournament can get going with a bit of a bang. Last season’s two derbies between Sarries and Harlequins both fell in the international window, denying the clubs the use of their England internationals, and it is uncertain exactly who will be available this Saturday when they clash at The Stoop.

It was July 16 when the England tour to Australia finished and the ten-week rest rule for international players puts this weekend’s upcoming match – nine weeks on from the tour finish in Sydney – out of reach unless a dispensation can be issued.

McCall kept his cards close to his chest at his Saracens media briefing on Tuesday as to whether he will go down this route with his England Test contingent of starters Jamie George, Billy Vunipola and Owen Farrell, as well as replacement Mako Vunipola, who all featured in that third Test decider.

Nick Isiekwe, another sub in that match, has since picked up an injury that will sideline him until 2023, while Maro Itoje suffered a concussion in the second Test in Brisbane.

“Hopefully we will see a few this week and we will make decisions on all of them at the end of the week,” said McCall ahead of a match that is the first of the season for Saracens as they had a bye for last weekend’s round one fixtures. “There is a ten-week rule in place and if you think a player should get exempted from that maybe because of an injury from the previous year then you can apply to reduce that by a week.

“I guess there is always this balance between doing what is right for each individual player which is paramount really. It’s a pity the season doesn’t start a bit later sometimes, isn’t it, to get off a bang with everybody being available? But sometimes that is not the case so it is a difficult balance between having those payers available for us in the round two game, game one for us, and doing the right thing by them. We will just make some sensible decisions around all those players.

“It [Saracens vs Harlequins] is a brilliant fixture to play and we have always had great games against them down the years. Both of the league games last year were in the international windows but going to The Stoop is a difficult place to go.

“They are a great side now and they have got some superb players, well coached, so it is a tough start for us that is for sure. Often these games don’t define a season but we are looking to put our best foot forward anyway.”

Saracens had hoped to put their Premiership bye-week last weekend to good use by playing at Northampton in an opening round Premiership Rugby Cup game last Thursday but that fixture was postponed at short notice when it was announced that Queen Elizabeth II had died.

“It was exceptional circumstances and it is what it is. It’s fine, to be honest, and we had a good session on Friday with everybody and we are looking forward to this weekend.”