'On track' - Saracens issue update on injured England captain Owen Farrell

Saracens have said that absent England captain Owen Farrell remains on course to return from injury, but a miracle return in time for Six Nations remains off the table.

England’s captain was ruled out of the entire tournament by surgery to his right ankle just days after completing his comeback from an operation to the same joint on his left leg.

Saracens confirmed that Farrell is 'progressing with his rehab after ankle surgery and is on track to return in the 8-10 week timespan originally communicated.'

News on Farrell's injury was released on January 26th, which would mean if he came back exactly eight weeks later, he would return on March 23, four days after the final round of this year's Six Nations.

England head coach Eddie Jones is confident he will come back stronger, saying in January that: "Owen’s one of the most resilient and driven players that I know. He’s got to take his medicine now, which is have the operation, rehab and go through all that pain. But he wants to be the best player he can be."

Saracens have also issued updates on seven other players, including Scotland centre Duncan Taylor and Wales scrumhalf Aled Davies.

Taylor has "returned to training after his shoulder surgery, could return to the match day squad in the next few weeks," while Davies is "Back in full training after his calf injury, is due to return in the coming weeks."

Italian prop Marco Riccioni, who is out for the season with a knee injury, is continuing his rehabilitation programme.

Prop Alec Carey has undergone surgery on an ankle and will be back in April, while Namibian lock Janco Venter will be out for 3 months with "a significant calf injury against Wasps".

Fellow prop Ralph Adams-Hale had "a setback in his recovery after the shoulder injury that he sustained against Leicester in October. Will continue to be monitored by the medical staff."

Adding to Saracens propping woes, Harvey Beaton has also had surgery on his ankle "and has started his rehab. Is due to make his return in late April/early May".