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.

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.

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.

Eroni Mawi and Luke Tagi, celebrate with the NRC trophy after winning the NRC Grand Final match between Fijian Drua and Queensland Country at Churchill Park. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

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