Saracens make just one change for La Rochelle

Saracens have made just one change to the starting line-up from the side that beat the Ospreys last weekend for their Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final clash with La Rochelle.

Nick Isiekwe replaces Andy Christie in the back-row after the Scotland international broke his arm in the Round of 16 clash with Welsh side. Isiekwe will bring additional size to the pack and he partners with Ben Earl and Billy Vunipola in the back-row.

Director of Rugby Mark McCall has named Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Marco Riccioni in the front-row. Maro Itoje and Hugh Tizard make up the second-row.

Ivan van Zyl will celebrate his 50th appearance for the club as the starting scrum-half, playing alongside captain Owen Farrell.

In the midfield, Nick Tompkins and Alex Lozowski partner up again while a back-three of Sean Maitland, Max Malins, and Alex Goode is named at the back.

On the bench, Callum Hunter-Hill will make his long-awaited return from injury, having suffered a knee injury in the win over Lyon before Christmas. Duncan Taylor will also be looking to continue his strong form after his try-scoring display against the Ospreys.

“I hear it’s an amazing environment. To be taking on the current holders is incredibly exciting and it will be a great occasion, one that we are very much looking forward to,” said Maro Itoje. “You can’t take these moments for granted, knockout rugby is a special privilege and we know we’re playing a very good team but we need to make sure the occasion brings the best out of us.”

SARACENS:
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Jamie George
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Maro Itoje
5 Hugh Tizard
6 Nick Isiekwe
7 Ben Earl
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Ivan van Zyl
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Sean Maitland
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Alex Lozowski
14 Max Malins
15 Alex Goode

REPLACEMENTS:
16 Tom Woolstencroft
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Christian Judge
19 Callum Hunter-Hill
20 Jackson Wray
21 Aled Davies
22 Duncan Taylor
23 Alex Lewington