Saracens player ratings: Mark McCall's Sarries' 29-22 triumph at Mattioli Woods Welford Road was a testament to their lightning-fast start and an impressive second-half surge.Â
Saracens’ decision to prioritise the Gallagher Premiership over Europe paid off as they boosted their play-off hopes by edging Leicester 29-22 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
England lock Ollie Chessum will return to Leicester Tigers' starting XV on Sunday as his side host Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership.
England captain Maro Itoje will return to captain a Saracens side containing four of his international team-mates during the Guinness Six Nations when they host Harlequins in the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday.Â
The head coach has included the Curry twins for a first-ever Test start together, called up the uncapped Cadan Murley for a start on the left wing and also selected a six/two forwards/backs bench split.
There were eight changes – four forwards, four backs – from the 36 selected on November 19 for a match that England won to draw a line under their five-game losing streak.
With 2024 skipper Jamie George coming under pressure for his spot in the starting team, Borthwick has given the captaincy to Maro Itoje – an intriguing development in a British and Irish Lions tour year.
He had played off the bench in the 2019 final win over Leinster in Newcastle, but that celebratory Saracens day wasn’t what came to his mind when quizzed at the 2024/25 tournament launch in Cardiff.
This Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup trip to Munster is his club’s final fixture before Steve Borthwick’s January 14 announcement of his England Guinness Six Nations squad.
Mark McCall believes it is all about how Saracens respond after the six-time champions suffered a record Gallagher Premiership defeat.