Owen Farrell moves position as Saracens make 3 changes for English Champions Cup clash

Owen Farrell has moved position as Sarcens bid to turn recent disappointments into knockout success as the north London side return to the Rec for an Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 showdown with Bath.

It will be Saracens’ second trip to the West Country in three weeks, following a heavy Gallagher PREM defeat to Johann van Graan’s side, but there is renewed confidence within the camp after an improved display – albeit in defeat – against Northampton Saints at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend.

Sarries DoR Mark McCall has made a total of three changes to the side that fell short at Showdown VI.

Prop wonder Rhys Carre is backing Saracens to turn recent progress. The Welsh international returns after scoring a wonder-try for Wales against Ireland in the Round 4 of the Guinness Six Nations, improbably using his 136kg frame to sprint clear of the Irish defence.

He starts once again in the front row and believes the upward curve in performance needs to continue if Saracens are to restore pride in Europe’s premier competition.

“We weren’t at our best last time we played there, far from it,” said Carre. “But we showed a lot of improvement last week against Northampton which we have continued to build on this week. Saracens have a proud history in this competition which we will want to uphold against tough opposition in Bath.”

Club captain Jamie George returns to the starting XV at hooker, packing down between the aforementioned Carre and tighthead Marcus Street.

The second row remains unchanged, with Maro Itoje continuing as captain alongside Hugh Tizard. There is also continuity in an all-international back row, where Theo McFarland lines up on the blindside, Andy Onyeama-Christie starts at openside, and Bordeaux-bound Tom Willis at No.8.

In the backs, Charlie Bracken links up with Fergus Burke at half-back for the first time since December.

Owen Farrell shifts from fly-half into the midfield, with Nick Tompkins moving to outside centre to accomodate the British and Irish Lion.

After scoring at Tottenham last weekend, Tobias Elliott switches to the left wing, while England U20 sensation Noah Caluori returns on the right. Elliot Daly rounds out the starting XV at fullback after marking his 100th appearance for the club in the PREM fixture against Saints.

The replacements’ bench includes returns to the matchday squad for Harry Wilson and Nathan Michelow.

Saracens team vs Bath:
1 Rhys Carre
2 Jamie George
3 Marcus Street
4 Maro Itoje (c)
5 Hugh Tizard
6 Theo McFarland
7 Andy Onyeama-Christie
8 Tom Willis
9 Charlie Bracken
10 Fergus Burke
11 Tobias Elliott
12 Owen Farrell
13 Nick Tompkins
14 Noah Caluori
15 Elliot Daly

Replacements:
16 Theo Dan
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Marco Riccioni
19 Harry Wilson
20 Nathan Michelow
21 Ivan Van Zyl
22 Alex Lozowski
23 Max Malins