Saracens manage a mid-season signing despite salary cap dramas

Despite their ongoing issues surrounding salary cap breaches and their impending relegation to the RFU Championship, Saracens have managed a mid-season signing.

The North London club have announced the capture of Fijian Eroni Mawi.

“The 23-year-old joins the club as injury cover for Ralph Adams-Hale and adds an option at loosehead prop whilst Mako Vunipola and Rhys Carre are on international duty.

“Mawi has 14 caps for Fiji and featured at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, scoring against Uruguay.”

The Fiji Times reported earlier in the week that Mawi had signed a two year deal with Saracens.

?? New signing for @Saracens reported this week by @fijitimes. They state loosehead prop Eroni Mawi has signed a two-year contract and will arrive in London this week. Mawi, 24, played for @fijirugby in RWC19. He won the NRC in Australia with @FijianDrua in 2019. #WelcomeEroni pic.twitter.com/Xgq9tPskOC

— #RugbySaracens (@RugbySaracens) February 14, 2020

The prop had been linked with a move to Northampton Saints.

Saracens have named three England internationals and one Scot on the bench as Sale Sharks visit Allianz Park on Saturday.

Nineteen-year-old Manu Vunipola returns from England Under-20s duty to take his place at fly-half meaning a switch back to full-back for Alex Goode – his first appearance in the 15 jersey since last season’s Gallagher Premiership final.

Rotimi Segun and Alex Lewington are named on the wings while captain Brad Barritt and Alex Lozowski make up the midfield.

“When I entered into them, they were all – to my knowledge – above board. There wasn’t any intention or even a thought that this was not above board."https://t.co/M9UHa4FHCL

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 13, 2020

Tom Whiteley comes in at scrum-half for his first start of the league season and will be behind a pack with four changes from the trip to face Sale in the Premiership Rugby Cup last time out.

Back from international duty with Wales, Rhys Carre takes his place at loosehead and South Africa international Vincent Koch is reinstated at tighthead. Hooker Tom Woolstencroft remains in the front row.

Calum Clark and Jackson Wray are back at openside flanker and Number 8 respectively, joining Nick Isiekwe in the back row and locks Joel Kpoku and Callum Hunter-Hill continue their partnership for the third match in a row.

On the bench, winger Ali Crossdale could make his first Premiership outing.

Saracens team to take on Sale Sharks at Allianz Park (KO 15H00):

15 Alex Goode
14 Rotimi Segun
13 Alex Lozowski
12 Brad Barritt ©
11 Alex Lewington
10 Manu Vunipola
9 Tom Whiteley
1 Rhys Carre
2 Tom Woolstencroft
3 Vincent Koch
4 Joel Kpoku
5 Callum Hunter-Hill
6 Nick Isiekwe
7 Calum Clark
8 Jackson Wray

Saracens bench:

16 Jack Singleton
17 Richard Barrington
18 Josh Ibuanokpe
19 Andy Christie
20 Sean Reffell
21 Ben Spencer
22 Duncan Taylor
23 Ali Crossdale