TEAM NEWS | Northampton Saints v Saracens Men

Manu Vunipola says Saracens Men are looking to keep building as they begin their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Northampton Saints tomorrow evening.

The Men in Black will feature in their first competitive match of the 2022/23 season with a trip to Franklin’s Gardens, and after the win over Ampthill they are aiming to take further strides forward with the Gallagher Premiership opener against Harlequins now firmly in sight. 

Eroni Mawi, Tom Woolstencroft and Christian Judge start in the front-row, whilst Callum Hunter-Hill and Hugh Tizard will also maintain their second-row partnership. 

Theo McFarland comes in to start at blindside flanker, with Ben Earl at openside and captain Jackson Wray moves to number eight. 

Ivan van Zyl and Manu Vunipola stay as half-backs, and Duncan Taylor comes back in at inside centre alongside Alex Lozowski. 

Max Malins moves to the left wing, with Alex Lewington on the right after his double try-scoring performance last week. Elliot Daly moves to full-back and will be eyeing up any attacking opportunities in open spaces. 

On the bench there is an opportunity for Academy player Alex Wardell, whilst Alex Goode will be looking to gain valuable match fitness before the league campaign.

Vunipola says Sarries will be looking to build more momentum when they head to Northampton on Thursday.

“The start of the season is always an exciting time and it’s a chance for us to put our best foot forward.

We had some good moments against Ampthill but we know we’ll have to take it up a gear as Franklin’s Gardens is always a very tough place to go.”

Saracens Men team to play Northampton Saints:

1 Eroni Mawi

2 Tom Woolstencroft

3 Christian Judge

4 Callum Hunter-Hill 

5 Hugh Tizard

6 Theo McFarland 

7 Ben Earl

8 Jackson Wray (c)

9 Ivan van Zyl

10 Manu Vunipola

11 Max Malins 

12 Duncan Taylor

13 Alex Lozowski

14 Alex Lewington 

15 Elliot Daly

Replacements:

16 Kapeli Pifeleti 

17 James Flynn 

18 Alec Clarey 

19 Alex Wardell

20 Andy Christie

21 Ruben de Haas 

22 Josh Hallett

23 Alex Goode