TEAM NEWS | London Irish v Saracens Men

18.02.22

Head Coach Joe Shaw is aware that Saracens Men are in for a big test as they head to the Brentford Community Stadium to take on in-form London Irish.

The Exiles are currently eighth in the table but are just three points away from the top four, proving the challenge that the Men in Black will face on Saturday.

Sarries, who have registered back-to-back wins over Bath and Harlequins in the last fortnight have made two changes to the starting line up after the derby victory.

Captain Mako Vunipola, Tom Woolstencroft and Vincent Koch continue in the front-row after a sensational performance over Quins, and in the second-row Nick Isiekwe returns from international duty to partner Tim Swinson.

Theo McFarland, Ben Earl and Billy Vunipola will be looking for more of the same in a well-functioning back-row combination.

Ivan van Zyl and Manu Vunipola are once again trusted as half-backs, as are Dom Morris and Alex Lozowski in the midfield.

Alex Lewington returns to the left wing in the only change to the back-line, with Rotimi Segun on the right and Alex Goode at full-back.

On the bench Kapeli Pifeleti and Eroni Mawi both return to the match day squad, and Nick Tompkins is also back from Wales duty for the trip to Brentford.

Shaw says his side are excited as they go in search of their third consecutive Premiership victory.

“Irish are a side that don’t give up. We have played them a few times already this season and they are very impressive.

We know we are in for a real challenge but we have prepared as well as we can and we are looking forward to going down there.”

Saracens Men team to play London Irish:

1 Mako Vunipola (c)

2 Tom Woolstencroft

3 Vincent Koch

4 Nick Isiekwe

5 Tim Swinson

6 Theo McFarland

7 Ben Earl

8 Billy Vunipola

9 Ivan van Zyl

10 Manu Vunipola

11 Alex Lewington

12 Dom Morris

13 Alex Lozowski

14 Rotimi Segun

15 Alex Goode

Replacements:

16 Kapeli Pifeleti

17 Eroni Mawi

18 Sam Wainwright

19 Andy Christie

20 Jackson Wray

21 Ruben de Haas

22 Nick Tompkins

23 Sean Maitland

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