Saracens v L Irish: Teams

Saracens director of rugby Alan Gaffney has insisted that his decision to leave out Andy Farrell, Glen Jackson, Tom Mercey and Ben Skirving from his starting XV to face London Irish has nothing to do with performances.

Gaffney has recalled Adam Powell, Cobus Visagie, Gordon Ross and Paul Gustard to take on the Exiles, and the Sarries chief insists he is just rotating his squad.

Farrell and Mercey are given the weekend off, while Jackson and Skirving are named on the bench and Gaffney told the club's official site: "We've made some changes for this game but I have to stress that it's not a reflection of performances last weekend - far from it.

"I think anyone who has seen our two recent matches will know that Andy Farrell has turned in two very good performances but the same could be said of Adam Powell when he was in the team during the World Cup period.

"It's the same case with Gordon Ross who had an impressive start to the season before Glen Jackson returned from injury.

"We have guys in the squad who need and deserve some game time and this weekend will be their opportunity.

Competitive

"We want to be competitive in all three tournaments this season and that means we will have to manage the squad to get the best out of every individual over the course of the campaign."

London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith claims confidence is high among his squad after back-to-back wins in the Heineken Cup.

The Exiles toppled Treviso and the Dragons to pick up maximum points in the competition and Smith is now looking to take that form into their clash against Sarries.

He told the club's website: "Our results in the opening rounds in the European Cup could not have gone any better.

"We expected a tough test in Newport last Saturday but our four tries in the opening quarter meant the Dragons were always chasing the game.

"Confidence is high among the squad as we return to the harsh reality of the Guinness Premiership this Sunday.

"Under Alan Gaffney's leadership Saracens are playing an attacking style of rugby that is based on a strong, well drilled pack which is capable of mixing with any team in the league. It's going to be tough but we've a good record at Vicarage Road."

Irish have been forced into one change for the match, with Phil Murphy starting at No 8.

Saracens: 15 Richard Haughton, 14 Rodd Penney, 13 Kevin Sorrell, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 Gordon Ross, 9 Neil de Kock (c), 1 Nick Lloyd, 2 Matt Cairns, 3 Cobus Visagie, 4 Tom Ryder, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 6 Kris Chesney, 7 David Seymour, 8 Paul Gustard.
Replacements: 16 Andy Kyriacou, 17 Cencus Johnston, 18 Iain Fullarton, 19 Ben Skirving, 20 Moses Rauluni, 21 Glen Jackson, 22 Francisco Leonelli.

London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat, 14 Tomas De Vedia, 13 Delon Armitage, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Mike Catt, 9 Peter Richards, 1 Dan Murphy, 2 David Paice, 3 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 4 Nick Kennedy, 5 Bob Casey (c), 6 Kieran Roche, 7 Declan Danaher, 8 Phil Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Richard Skuse, 17 Danie Coetzee, 18 James Hudson, 19 Richard Thorpe, 20 Steffon Armitage, 21 Paul Hodgson, 22 Topsy Ojo.