Back in: Owen Farrell
Saracens have named Owen Farrell at outside centre for their second Pool game of the 2012/13 Heineken Cup, against Racing-Metro on Saturday.
Saracens will create history in becoming the first club to stage a European match in Brussels.
Racing are the visitors to the Stade Roi Baudouin for the clash with both teams having recorded wins in their opening matches in the competition.
In team news ahead of the game in Belgium, Chris Wyles will make his 100th appearance for Saracens and becomes the latest member of the 100 club. Wyles starts the game at wing and will lead the team out in recognition of his milestone.
Other changes to the side that beat Edinburgh 45-0 last week sees Farrell start at outside centre while Neil de Kock is named at scrum-half.
Alistair Hargreaves and Carlos Nieto come onto the bench with Joel Tomkins, Richard Wigglesworth and David Strettle named in the 23.
Meanwhile, Racing have recalled Juan Martin Hernandez after the Argentina star missed last week's victory over Munster. He starts at 15 alongside Benjamin Fall and Juan Imhoff.
There is a change at eight where Bernard le Roux is preferred over Masinivanua Matadigo.
The teams:
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Owen Farrell, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Jackson Wray, 7 Will Fraser, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Steve Borthwick, 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 John Smit, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Carlos Nieto, 19 Alistair Hargreaves, 20 Andy Saull, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Joel Tomkins, 23 David Strettle.
Racing Metro: 15 Juan Martin Hernandez, 14 Benjamin Fall, 13 Mirco Bergamasco, 12 Fabrice Estebanez, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Olly Barkley, 9 Maxime Machenaud, 8 Bernard le Roux, 7 Jacques Cronje (capt), 6 Antoine Battut, 5 Francois Van Der Merwe, 4 Karim Ghezal, 3 Luc Ducalcon, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Andrea Lo Cicero.
Replacements: 16 Benkjamin Noirot, 17 Eddy Ben Arous, 18 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19 Fabrice Metz, 20 Julien Jané, 21 Masinivanua Matadigo, 22 Sebastien Descons, 23 Gaetan Germain.
Date: Saturday, October 20
Venue: King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels
Kick-off: 16.40 local (15.40 BST / 14.40 GMT)
Referee: Nigel Owens
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
Not sure Farrell is good enough to be the next James Hook. Is he slower this season? He has to stick with 10. As Hodgson is keeping him out he should join Saints.
Posted 09:30 20th October 2012
Centre12 says...
Playing him at #13 is pointless for his England prospects, he is without a shadow of a doubt a talent, but needs to be used at #10 or #12, where England are at their weakest, the #13 channel is not a problem with the likes of Tuilagi, Joseph and Trinder. Hopefully this will be the year that we get out 10/12 situation resolved, its about time.
Posted 05:40 20th October 2012
chubbylugs says...
i find it astounding that we insist on picking him at 10 for england. i think he goes missing after 2/3 phases at 10. hasnt got the pace for 13 either imho. dont think his kicking game is justification enough to keep him in the national side
Posted 16:02 19th October 2012
GoWalesGo says...
sirtidychris
Owen Farrelll mainly plays at 13 for Saracens. They use a left and right partnership.
Posted 13:57 19th October 2012
sirtidychris says...
Owen Farrel is going to be turning into the james hook of english rugby if he's not carefull....looking forward to seeing my former bathman barkley playing pivot, thats 3 english capped flyhalfs starting this game !
Posted 13:33 19th October 2012
melkdave says...
Well if the Saracens defence is as good as last week ,they may have the edge in this match,Dont think anyone would have got much against that performance .Annother just like it please Saracens ,show us all your not a boring odds driven team .
Posted 13:01 19th October 2012