The Powerhouse XV Saracens Could Field In The Championship

July 23, 2020
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Ultimate Rugby

Saracens' relegation to the Championship next season has seen a number of players leave the club ahead of their season in England's second tier.

However, Mark McCall and his team have done a fantastic job in enticing a number of players to stay on and feature in the Championship. A few England Internationals will spend at least the season in the Championship with the likes of Owen Farrell, Billy Vunipola, Maro Itoje, Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Elliot Daly and Scotland international Sean Maitland all committing their future in the club.

If Saracens are to bounce right back to the Premiership, which seems highly likely, McCall will have a number of key players returning from season-long loans making their expected return to England's top-flight far easier than teams before them.

Saracens have lost the services of Titi Lamositele, Joe Gray, George Kruis, Will Skelton and Rhys Carré in their pack on a permanent basis while they are less impacted in the backs with Matt Gallagher, Ben Spencer, Richard Wigglesworth and Brad Barritt leaving the club.

The likes of Ben Earl, Max Malins, Jack Singleton, Alex Goode, Nick Isiekwe, Alex Lozowski and Nick Tompkins will all return to the side after a season away from the club. With around 16 players leaving the club, either permanently or on a temporary basis, Mark McCall is still able to field a powerful starting XV that will be more than capable of securing the side's return to the Premiership and would even be capable of competing if they were in the top flight.

McCall could field a full test front row with Mako Vunipola and Jamie George both signing extensions with the side with Vincent Koch set to follow suit. The Sarries boss could make it a full test front five with Tim Swinton and Maro Itoje lining up in the second row but it is more likely that Joel Kpoku will get more minutes in the starting XV.

Long time Saracens' back-rower Jackson Wray is also set to stay on with the club and could combine with Billy Vunipola and Calum Clarke with new signing Jacques Venter also pushing for a starter. There is also a number of young back rowers in the squad that could push through with Michael Rhodes' future at the club also unclear.

With Wigglesworth and Ben Spencer both leaving the club, the starting 9 jersey will be up for grabs. New signing and Wales' International Aled Davies has been brought into the squad to make a claim for the jersey with the likes of Tom Whiteley and Alex Day also on the club's payroll.

Owen Farrell has also committed to playing a season in the Championship but when the England ace is resting, he will have a more than capable replacement in England u20 international Manu Vunipola. The pair could combine with Farrell featuring at inside-centre but that role is likely to be filled by Argentine International Juan Pablo Socino.

Brad Barritt will leave a massive vacancy at the club with the 13 channel just as difficult to fill with Alex Lozowski and Nick Tompkins departing the Allianz. This does also provide an opportunity for Dominic Morris to cement his place in the side with Scotland International Duncan Taylor also set to remain at the side.

Out wide Elliot Daly has also committed to the club and is likely to be flanked by Romiti Segun and Sean Maitland with the likes of Elliott Obatoyinbo and Alex Lewington.

Although it is unlikely that Mark McCall will select all this side for a single match, here is how Saracens could line up:

1. Mako Vunipola

2. Jamie George

3. Vincent Koch

4. Maro Itoje

5. Joel Kpoku

6. Jackson Wray

7. Calum Clarke

8. Billy Vunipola

9. Aled Davies

10. Owen Farrell

11. Romiti Segun