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Liam Williams withdrawn by Saracens
By Online Editors
Saracens’ Liam Williams has been withdrawn by Saracens ahead of their match with Newcastle Falcons.
The club say he has been withdrawn as 'a pre-cautionary measure due to a tight hamstring.'
Alex Lewington replaces him on the wing with Matt Gallagher taking the 23 shirt.
Over half of Saracens matchday 23 to face Newcastle Falcons have come through the club’s Academy.
Twelve players involved in Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership clash have progressed from the youth setup at Allianz Park with seven starting.
Owen Farrell returns to club action and will captain the side in the absence of Brad Barritt. He forms a half-back partnership with Ben Spencer while Nick Tompkins and Max Malins also come into the backline.
Maro Itoje and George Kruis link-up in the second row for the first time since starting England’s Six Nations opener against Ireland and Ben Earl earns a start in the back row alongside Mike Rhodes and Schalk Burger.
Hooker Tom Woolstencroft and prop Vincent Koch are the other changes in the pack.
On the bench, loosehead Ralph Adam-Hale is in line for his third league appearance and it will be a special day for centre Dom Morris who is named in a Premiership 23 for the first time.
Saracens team to face Newcastle Falcons at Allianz Park on Saturday 6th April (KO 15H00):
15 Max Malins
14 Sean Maitland
13 Alex Lozowski
12 Nick Tompkins
11 Alex Lewington
10 Owen Farrell (c)
9 Ben Spencer
1 Richard Barrington
2 Tom Woolstencroft
3 Vincent Koch
4 Maro Itoje
5 George Kruis
6 Mike Rhodes
7 Schalk Burger
8 Ben Earl
Replacements
16 Christopher Tolofua
17 Ralph Adams-Hale
18 Titi Lamositele
19 Nick Isiekwe
20 Calum Clark
21 Tom Whiteley
22 Dom Morris
23 Matt Gallagher
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Latest Comments
The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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