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Saracens get stuck into Premiership survival bid as they roll out the big guns for Bath

Owen Farrell, the England captain at the recent World Cup, is set to make his first appearance of the season for Saracens (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Saracens’ remaining three England players who have yet to feature this season have all been included in Mark McCall’s XV to face Bath on Friday night. 

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Fresh from accepting Premiership Rugby’s £5.34million fine and a 35-points deduction, the Londoners are now bottom of the league, 26 points adrift of eleventh-place Leicester. 

However, they are looking to put every effort into closing that gap over the winter, starting at the Rec with the inclusion of England World Cup skipper Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola. 

The trio have all been handed starting roles for the match, with Jamie George also earning a maiden start of the campaign after he came off the bench in last weekend’s European rout of Ospreys.  

Farrell partners Richard Wigglesworth at half-back, while Elliot Daly is in line for his league debut for his new club at full-back after already making an appearance in Europe. 

(Continue reading below…)

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Sean Maitland is the only other amendment to the backline that began the victory over Ospreys in the Heineken Champions Cup, meaning a midfield of captain Brad Barritt and Duncan Taylor remains.

It’s the same at lock where Will Skelton and George Kruis pack down behind props Mako Vunipola and Titi Lamositele. No8 Billy Vunipola’s inclusion sees Jackson Wray switch to the flank.

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Saracens (v Bath, Friday)

Elliot Daly; Sean Maitland, Duncan Taylor, Brad Barritt (capt), Alex Lewington; Owen Farrell, Richard Wigglesworth; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Titi Lamositele, Will Skelton, George Kruis, Maro Itoje, Jackson Wray, Billy Vunipola. Reps: Jack Singleton, Richard Barrington, Vincent Koch, Nick Isiekwe, Ben Earl, Ben Spencer, Manu Vunipola, Nick Tompkins.

WATCH: Former Saracens player Jim Hamilton discusses the salary cap scandal surrounding his former club

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M
MA 3 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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