Liam Williams withdrawn by Saracens

Saracens’ Liam Williams has been withdrawn by Saracens ahead of their match with Newcastle Falcons.

The club say he has been withdrawn as ‘a pre-cautionary measure due to a tight hamstring.’

Alex Lewington replaces him on the wing with Matt Gallagher taking the 23 shirt.

Over half of Saracens matchday 23 to face Newcastle Falcons have come through the club’s Academy.

Twelve players involved in Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership clash have progressed from the youth setup at Allianz Park with seven starting.

Owen Farrell returns to club action and will captain the side in the absence of Brad Barritt. He forms a half-back partnership with Ben Spencer while Nick Tompkins and Max Malins also come into the backline.

Maro Itoje and George Kruis link-up in the second row for the first time since starting England’s Six Nations opener against Ireland and Ben Earl earns a start in the back row alongside Mike Rhodes and Schalk Burger.

Hooker Tom Woolstencroft and prop Vincent Koch are the other changes in the pack.

On the bench, loosehead Ralph Adam-Hale is in line for his third league appearance and it will be a special day for centre Dom Morris who is named in a Premiership 23 for the first time.

Saracens team to face Newcastle Falcons at Allianz Park on Saturday 6th April (KO 15H00):

15 Max Malins
14 Sean Maitland
13 Alex Lozowski
12 Nick Tompkins
11 Alex Lewington
10 Owen Farrell (c)
9 Ben Spencer

1 Richard Barrington
2 Tom Woolstencroft
3 Vincent Koch
4 Maro Itoje
5 George Kruis
6 Mike Rhodes
7 Schalk Burger
8 Ben Earl

Replacements

16 Christopher Tolofua
17 Ralph Adams-Hale
18 Titi Lamositele
19 Nick Isiekwe
20 Calum Clark
21 Tom Whiteley
22 Dom Morris
23 Matt Gallagher