Rugby

Maro Itoje named in weakened Saracens XV for Munster clash

No place for Farrell or the Vunipola brothers as Johann van Graan makes 14 changes

Maro Itoje will start for Saracens against Munster. Photograph: Harry Trump/Getty

Fri Dec 6 2019 - 12:27

Champions Cup Pool Four: Munster v Saracens, Saturday December 7th, Thomond Park (kick-off 5.30pm, BT Sport)

Maro Itoje is the sole member of England's Rugby World Cup contingent to be named in the Saracens squad for Saturday's Champions Cup clash with Munster.

The English and European champions were hit by a 35-point Premiership points deduction earlier this season after breaking league salary cap rules.

This prompted director of rugby Mark McCall to say domestic survival would be his side’s priority, and he has resisted the temptation of recalling his big guns for the daunting trip to Thomond Park.

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That means there is no place for Owen Farrell, Billy or Mako Vunipola in the matchday squad - although Itoje has been named to start in the secondrow alongside Australia international Will Skelton.

Brad Barritt captains the visitors from inside centre, while Manu Vunipola is named at outhalf in the absence of his brothers.

Meanwhile Johann van Graan has made 14 changes to his Munster side, with prop Stephen Archer the only player to retain his place following last weekend’s narrow Pro14 defeat to Edinburgh in Cork.

Mike Haley returns at fullback with Andrew Conway and Keith Earls on the wings, while Chris Farrell and Rory Scannell are reinstated in the midfield. Conor Murray and JJ Hanrahan - who missed the chance to win the game for his side in their last European outing against Racing 92 - form the halfbacks.

Up front, James Cronin and hooker Niall Scannell join Archer in the frontrow. Jean Kleyn and Billy Holland are in the engine room while captain Peter O'Mahony, Tadhg Beirne and CJ Stander start in the backrow.

Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland; Tadhg Beirne, Peter O'Mahony (capt), CJ Stander. Replacements: Kevin O'Byrne, Liam O'Connor, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O'Donoghue, Nick McCarthy, Sammy Arnold, Arno Botha.

Saracens: Matt Gallagher; Roti Segun, Alex Lozowski, Brad Barritt (capt), Alex Lewington; Manu Vunipola, Ben Spencer; Richard Barrington, Jack Singleton, Titi Lamositele, Will Skelton, Maro Itoje, Nick Isiekwe, Ben Earl, Jackson Wray. Replacements: Kapeli Pifeleti, Rhys Carre, Josh Ibuanokpe, Joel Kpoku, Sean Reffell, Tom Whiteley, Max Malins, Nick Tompkins.

Referee: Romain Poite (France).

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