TEAM NEWS | Saracens Men v Gloucester Rugby

Captain Owen Farrell says Saracens Men are all raring to go as they prepare to welcome Gloucester for their first home match of the 2022/23 season. 

The Men in Black are buoyed by their impressive comeback win over Harlequins last weekend, and they will be looking to mark a special occasion at StoneX Stadium with a win as the newly opened West Stand will be fully operational for the first time. 

There are four changes to the starting line-up after the victory at The Stoop, as both Mako Vunipola and Jamie George return, whilst Scotland internationals Andy Christie and Duncan Taylor will both start against the Cherry and Whites. 

Vunipola and George are joined by Christian Judge in the front-row, whilst Theo McFarland moves in to the second-row alongside Hugh Tizard. 

Christie is back at blindside after making a positive impact last week, and he has Ben Earl and Billy Vunipola to keep him company at the base of the scrum. 

Ivan van Zyl and Farrell continue their half-back partnership, with Taylor in the midfield next to Alex Lozowski. 

The back-three is unchanged after an accomplished opening day display, and they will all be looking to make the most of any try-scoring opportunities that come their way.

On the bench there is plenty of power to come on up front in the form of Eroni Mawi and Callum Hunter-Hill, whilst Josh Hallett could feature after being promoted to the senior squad in the summer. 

Farrell is aware that the visitors to StoneX will bring a stern challenge on Saturday. 

“We’re all enormously excited to get out there for our first home game of the season which is always a great occasion.

Gloucester are a top side who have made huge improvements over the last couple of years so we know that we will be a very tough game.”

Saracens Men team to play Gloucester:

1 Mako Vunipola 

2 Jamie George 

3 Christian Judge 

4 Theo McFarland

5 Hugh Tizard 

6 Andy Christie 

7 Ben Earl

8 Billy Vunipola 

9 Ivan van Zyl

10 Owen Farrell (c) 

11 Alex Lewington

12 Duncan Taylor

13 Alex Lozowski

14 Max Malins

15 Elliot Daly

Replacements:

16 Tom Woolstencroft

17 Eroni Mawi

18 Alec Clarey

19 Callum Hunter-Hill

20 Jackson Wray 

21 Ruben de Haas

22 Manu Vunipola

23 Josh Hallett