Former England fly-half Owen Farrell captains Saracens on his return to the side as they host Newcastle Red Bulls following a damaging 33-15 defeat by London rivals Harlequins at The Stoop on Sunday.
Sarries’ director of rugby Brendan Venter makes 10 changes from the side, which were convincingly beaten by Quins, as Elliot Daly return at full-back and Tobias Elliot replaces Jack Bracken who drops to the bench. Tom James starts at scrum-half with 35-year-old Farrell leading the side at 10.
Alex O’Driscoll comes in at loosehead prop, and there is a return to the side for former Bath man Alfie Barbeary at number eight.
Ben Earl is on the bench, where he is joined by veteran hooker Jamie George and the returning winger Noah Caluori, who is back from injury in a 5-3 split.
As for Newcastle Red Bulls, coach Dan McFarland decides to keep his side much more settled.
There are just three alterations from the starting XV which beat Sale 17-3 last Friday. Alex Hearle comes in at outside centre while Cam Jordan and Sam Graham replace Rusi Tuima and Hoskins Sotutu, who both miss out through injury.
Saracens: Daly; Elliott, Tompkins, Va’enuku, Segun; Farrell (capt), James; O’Driscoll, Dan, Street, Isiekwe, Tizard, Michelow, Knight, Barbeary.
Replacements: George, Brantingham, Clarey, Martin, Earl, Bracken, Malins, Caluori.
Newcastle RB: Hodge; Wade, Hearle, Rigg, Kok; Connon, Benitez Cruz; Rakete-Stones, McGuigan, Millar Mills, Usher, Jordan, Hicks, Christie (capt), Graham.
Replacements: Adejimi, West, Moreno, Baker, Leatherbarrow, Elliott, Henry, Harris.
