Preview - Saracens v Glasgow
England centre Andy Farrell will make his first appearance for five weeks when Saracens tackle European Challenge Cup opponents Glasgow Warriors at Vicarage Road on Sunday.
The former Great Britain RL captain has not played since being part of England’s Six Nations defeat against Ireland in Dublin last month.
Farrell, who has won three Test caps, was treated for lower back pain in the aftermath of that 43-13 Croke Park loss, and was not considered for England’s remaining Six Nations appointments with France and Wales.
His place was taken by 35-year-old London Irish back Mike Catt, who also assumed captaincy duties in the absence of concussed Wasps prop Phil Vickery.
Farrell, who is expected to be in the England squad for a two-Test South Africa tour in May and June, features as Saracens’ solitary change following a 22-7 Guinness Premiership victory over London Irish last time out.
But there are changes on the replacements bench, with Tom Ryder coming into the matchday squad and Adam Powell, who started last week at London Irish, also named on the bench with Tomas de Vedia dropping out of the 22. Nick Lloyd and Paul Gustard are also included.
Hugh Vyvyan and Alan Dickens both have minor knocks which rules them out of the match but are expected to be back in action next week. Richard Haughton (knee) and Fabio Ongaro (neck) both returned to training this week but it was too early for them to be considered.
Form: Saracens and Glasgow line-up for the final European Challenge Cup quarter-final of a busy weekend with both sides knowing this is their last realistic chance for silverware this season. Neither side have set the world alight in their domestic leagues so will be looking for European rugby to bring a bit of cheer to their fans. The two teams were pooled together this season and both matches were mighty close. Glasgow got the upper hand in Round 1, winning 28-23. But they were inseparable in a tense match in Round 6. Six all being the final score.
Saracens: 15 Thomas Castaignede, 14 Dan Scarbrough, 13 Kevin Sorrell, 12 Andy Farrell, 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ben Skirving, 7 Richard Hill, 6 Kris Chesney, 5 Simon Raiwalui (c), 4 Iain Fullarton, 3 Cencus Johnston, 2 Shane Byrne, 1 Kevin Yates
Replacements: 16 Matt Cairns, 17 Nick Lloyd, 18 Tom Ryder, 19 Paul Gustard, 20 Moses Rauluni, 21 Adam Powell, 22 Rodd Penney.
Glasgow Warriors: tbc
Date: Sunday, April 1
Kick-off: 15:00 (14:00 GMT)
Venue: Vicarage Road, Watford
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
Touch judges: Eric Gauzins (France), Jean-Michel Schutz (France)
Assessor: Brain Campsall (England)
Television match official: Bob Ockenden (England)
