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Vunipola's 'adapt' warning as Saracens change two for Leicester
By Liam Heagney
Billy Vunipola has issued a warning to his Saracens team after Mark McCall named an XV showing two changes to face Gallagher Premiership champions Leicester following last weekend’s last-gasp win over Gloucester. Tigers pipped the Londoners to the title 15 weeks ago in dramatic circumstances at Twickenham, Freddie Burns separating the teams with his epic drop goal with just seconds remaining in a final that seemed set for extra time.
The clubs are now among the early pace-setters in the new 2022/23 season, Leicester occupying third place with two wins from three outings while Saracens are fifth following wins in their opening two games against Harlequins and Gloucester.
Having needed a clock-in-the-red converted try to win last weekend at the StoneX, McCall has welcomed back Callum Hunter-Hill and Nick Tompkins into the starting line-up at the expense of Andy Christie and Duncan Taylor.
Hill’s inclusion at lock sees Theo McFarland revert to blindside while Tompkins will link with Alex Lozowski in midfield. There is also a place on the bench for Marco Riccioni, the tighthead who ruptured his ACL while on duty last November for Italy in the Autumn Nations Series.
The rematch with Leicester heralds a third successive Saracens start at No8 for the in-form Vunipola. “This season we have a new focus on ourselves and how we can get better,” he said. “We want to be a team that can adapt to anything and we want to play what’s in front of us, which we will have to do against a strong Leicester side.”
SARACENS (vs Leicester Saturday):
15. Elliot Daly; 14. Max Malins, 13. Alex Lozowski, 12. Nick Tompkins, 11. Alex Lewington; 10. Owen Farrell (capt), 9. Ivan van Zyl; 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Jamie George, 3. Christian Judge, 4. Callum Hunter-Hill, 5. Hugh Tizard, 6. Theo McFarland, 7. Ben Earl, 8. Billy Vunipola. Reps: 16. Kapeli Pifeleti, 17. Eroni Mawi, 18. Marco Riccioni, 19. Andy Christie, 20. Jackson Wray, 21. Ruben de Haas, 22. Alex Goode, 23. Sean Maitland.
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Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
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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