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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Will Macpherson

Saracens rest Owen Farrell for Bristol clash with Munster European semi-final tie looming

Rested: Owen Farrell will not play for Saracens in Bristol with the semi-final clash against Munster looming (Picture: Getty Images)

Owen Farrell is among several key players rested for Saracens' trip to Bristol on Saturday in preparation for next week’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final against Munster.

England captain Farrell has been left out of the squad, while hooker Jamie George, lock Maro Itoje and No8 Billy Vunipola are on the bench.

Saracens still have plenty of talent in their starting XV, with Alex Goode at full-back, Sean Maitland on the wing and Will Skelton packing down at second row.

Scrum-half Tom Whiteley will make his first Premiership start for the club at Ashton Gate, with fellow academy graduate Max Malins at 10 and Marcelo Bosch - who will leave Allianz Park at the end of the season - in the centre.

Defending champions Saracens travel to Bristol second in the Premiership and nine points adrift of leaders Exeter Chiefs, who host Wasps at Sandy Park on Sunday.

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