MATCH PREVIEW: SARACENS V LEICESTER TIGERS

Owen Farrell says he and his fellow international contingent can’t wait to return this weekend as they slot straight back in to action at StoneX Stadium for one of English rugby’s biggest rivalries.

The England and Saracens captain is amongst seven of his fellow countrymen who are all back in the matchday 23 after arriving back from Rugby World Cup duty for Saturday’s huge match against Leicester Tigers in front of the TNT cameras. 

He will be joined in the side by Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Ben Earl and Elliot Daly for the encounter.

Leicester Tigers, meanwhile, will wait another week before bringing back their World Cup contingent.

Tigers head coach, Dan McKellar has made three changes to his matchday selection. Tongan international Solomone Kata is named for a potential Tigers debut with Australian lock Sam Carter earning his first Premiership start.

TV: Live on TNT Sports, 3.05pm kick-off

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (125th game)

Assistant Referees: Joe James and Peter Allan

TMO: Rowan Kitt

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Aled Davies, 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Marco Riccioni, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Nick Isiekwe, 6 Andy Christie, 7 Ben Earl, 8 Billy Vunipola

Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Callum Hunter-Hill, 20 Hugh Tizard, 21 Tom Willis, 22 Ivan van Zyl, 23 Tom Parton

Leicester Tigers: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Josh Bassett, 13 Guy Porter, 12 Dan Kelly, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Jamie Shillcock, 9 Tom Whiteley, 1 James Cronin, 2 Charlie Clare, 3 Joe Heyes, 4 Cameron Henderson, 5 Sam Carter, 6 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Olly Cracknell

Replacements: 16 Nic Dolly, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Harry Wells, 20 Matt Rogerson, 21 Joe Powell, 22 Charlie Atkinson, 23 Solomone Kata

Insight

Saracens

• In Round 3, Tom Willis made 13 carries – six of which were dominant – beat a round-high eight defenders, and scored two tries. In defence, he made 15 tackles and won as many turnovers as any other player (three).
• Andy Christie made more tackles than any other player in Round 3 (20) and won two turnovers. He also stole two opposition lineouts - as many as any other player.
• Saracens have been awarded a penalty or scored a try with a league-high 82% of their entries to the opposition 22 this season. They have averaged more points per red zone entry than any other team (5.6).
• Saracens have made the fewest carries (256) and averaged the second=fewest metres per possession in the league (5.3).

Leicester Tigers

• Jamie Shillcock scored a round-high 20 points last weekend - the highest total in a single match so far this season. Missing just one penalty attempt, his goal kicking success rate was 87.5%.
• Leicester have won more scrum penalties than any other team in the league (ten). Their lineout success rate is also the best in the Premiership (95.6%).
• So far this season, Tigers have made the fewest carry metres (572), offloads (14), and clean breaks (eight).
• Cameron Henderson has made mor successful tackles than any other player so far this season (50).