Farrell ruled out of Saracen’s starting line-up

Saracens return to Aviva Premiership action on Saturday when they face London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.

In team news ahead of the round 20 clash, Saracens make four changes to the starting side. In the forwards, George Kruis and Jackson Wray are named in the starting XV with Mouritz Botha and Justin Melck on the replacement’s bench.

In the backs, Neil de Kock and Michael Tagicakibau both start with Richard Wigglesworth on the bench and Owen Farrell ruled out with a minor knock. On the bench, Joel Tomkins comes into the matchday squad with James Short also ruled out with a minor knock.

Saracens line-up vs London Irish

15 Alex Goode
14 David Strettle
13 Chris Wyles
12 Brad Barritt
11 Michael Tagicakibau
10 Charlie Hodgson
9 Neil de Kock
1 Rhys Gill
2 Schalk Brits
3 Matt Stevens
4 Steve Borthwick ©
5 George Kruis
6 Jackson Wray
7 Will Fraser
8 Ernst Joubert

16 Jamie George
17 Mako Vunipola
18 Carlos Nieto
19 Mouritz Botha
20 Justin Melck
21 Richard Wigglesworth
22 Adam Powell
23 Joel Tomkins

Saracens name team for Premiership final

Saracens return to Twickenham for their second successive Aviva Premiership Rugby final appearance on Saturday and have named their side for the game against Leicester Tigers.

In team news ahead of the final, the only change from the semi-final victory over Gloucester sees Neil de Kock start the match at scrum half with Richard Wigglesworth named on the bench.

Hugh Vyvyan is among the replacements and if he takes to the field it will be Premiership appearance number 238 for the second row – setting a new Premiership record.

“We’re really looking forward to the game after a good week of preparation,” said Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall. “We know that concentration and mental strength will be very important as finals can be decided by very small margins.

“Leicester have a great record of reaching finals and as a club, we have a huge amount of respect for them. We go into the game in a good place with some good results behind us and an understanding among the team as to what their roles are and what they need to do in order to win rugby matches.”

Saracens line-up vs Leicester Tigers

15 Alex Goode
14 David Strettle
13 Chris Wyles
12 Brad Barritt
11 James Short
10 Owen Farrell
9 Neil de Kock
1 Matt Stevens
2 Schalk Brits
3 Carlos Nieto
4 Steve Borthwick ©
5 Mouritz Botha
6 Kelly Brown
7 Jacques Burger
8 Ernst Joubert

16 Jamie George
17 Rhys Gill
18 Petrus du Plessis
19 Hugh Vyvyan
20 Andy Saull
21 Richard Wigglesworth
22 Nils Mordt
23 Noah Cato

Borthwick returns for Sarries at Worcester

Saracens travel to Sixways on Friday night looking to make it nine wins from nine in the Guinness Premiership and welcome back captain Steve Borthwick to the starting line-up.

Borthwick returns from international duty to start against Worcester Warriors with Chris Wyles (USA) and Moses Rauluni (Fiji) also back from action with their respective countries to be in the Saracens squad. In the only other change from Sunday’s win over Wasps, Richard Haughton returns to the wing.

“We know that going to Sixways is always a tough test,” said Defence and Forwards Coach Paul Gustard. “They have some very good players in the likes of Chris Latham, Sam Tuitupou, Pat Sanderson and others. They also have a very strong forward pack so we know we are in for a tough game. But the guys are really looking forward to the challenge and they know that we have to increase our effort levels week on week to keep getting the results we want.

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Grewcock banned

DANNY GREWCOCK of Bath Rugby was tonight banned for two weeks for striking Saracens’ Neil de Kock during the Guinness Premiership match at the Recreation Ground on October 31.

Grewcock, who pleaded guilty before a Rugby Football Union Disciplinary Panel of Jeremy Summers (chairman), Philip Evans and Michael White at the London Bloomsbury Holiday Inn, is suspended from November 5 – the date of his suspension by Bath – until November 18. He can play again on November 19.