'Punched in the face' Saracens suffer double back-row injury blow

Saracens boss Mark McCall has challenged his players to make him proud when they face Northampton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following the shock of a “punch in the face” from Bath, who inflicted an embarrassing 62-15 loss on the North London side last Friday night.

McCall also wants the fact this will be Elliot Daly’s 100th game for the club to add extra motivation to a team that will see the return of England captain Maro Itoje, veteran hooker Jamie George and Welsh hero Rhys Carre. However, England flanker Ben Earl is ruled out by concussion suffered at Bath while Juan Martin Gonzalez has a concerning foot injury.

The Saracens players have been shown the second half horror show at Bath and McCall is confident the expected 47,000 crowd and the stadium will provide the backdrop for a much improved performance.

He said: “I want to see a team that fights which we didn’t quite see on Friday night if we are honest. I want to be proud of them when they walk off the pitch and that is the bottom line.

“The Bath scoreline was difficult to accept and it’s the first time that has happened this season. How we reacted to the pressure of the scoreboard was massively disappointing and the important thing is how we respond. We have to make it happen.

“We have been punched in the face and have to accept it and deal with it. Frustration and disappointment would be the emotions I witnessed, not anger, and let’s get stuck in on Saturday. It is Elliot’s 100th game for the club in a remarkable career with just south of 400 games at the top level for Wasps, England and the Lions and we want to make it a special day for him.

“Northampton rested their international players last weekend and you want to play the best teams. They are a very settled group and we have to show the best of ourselves.”

McCall insisted that Itoje is not tired and is being managed well by club and country. “People can draw the wrong conclusion and chatting to Maro he feels great; “added McCall.