Mako Vunipola will make his first appearance since the Lions tour and his England snub when Saracens welcome in-form Newcastle for their Premiership homecoming at StoneX Stadium tomorrow.
Vunipola missed the first two games of Sarries’ season resting after the Lions tour of South Africa, on which he was involved in all three Tests.
Like a number of senior England players, he was then left out of Eddie Jones’s first training squad of the season, so faces a battle to be involved in the autumn Internationals.
The prop comes into a starting XV showing four changes and containing seven England internationals (including Jamie George and captain Owen Farrell, who returned to club duty last week). Also into the side for the first time this season is Sean Maitland.
Saracens won their season opener against Bristol but narrowly lost to Leicester last weekend. This is their first home match since being promoted from the Championship last season, and the first time they have played at the StoneX Stadium since restrictions were lifted.
“It’s going to be a really special occasion on Saturday,” said wing Alex Lewington. “We are very much just focusing on our job on the field, but I can honestly say having fans back is an absolute game changer.
“As a playing group we are massively excited to get back out there and play in front of our supporters, and are ready to give back after all they have given us.”
