Saracens v London Welsh preview

Published: Saturday, 2. March, 2013 in category Saracens
George Kruis: Packs down alongside Steve Borthwick

Saracens boss Mark McCall has made two changes to his starting XV for Sunday's Premiership clash with London Welsh at Allianz Park.

In the back-line, Duncan Taylor startes the match at inside centre in place of Adam Powell.

The other change to the starting XV sees George Kruis taking over from Alistair Hargreaves to partner captain Steve Borthwick in the second row.

On the replacement's bench, Andy Saull makes a first appearance since before Christmas having recovered from a fractured thumb while Jamie George, Mouritz Botha and Ben Ransom all come into the matchday squad.

Meanwhile, London Welsh head coach Lyn Jones has been forced into a number of changes with Gonzalo Tiesi, Neil Briggs and Ed Jackson all ruled out through injury.

Tiesi's place at outside centre is taken by Sonny Parker, while there's a debut on the wing for new signing Seb Stegmann.

Greg Bateman moves from tight head to hooker to replace Briggs, with James Tideswell coming into the front row.

In the second row, Kirill Kulemin partners captain Jonathan Mills, while there's a new look back row.

Jackson's place at number eight is taken by Alfie To'oala, with Julio Cabello Farias moving from openside to blindside flanker.

Michael Hills wears the number seven jersey.

Saracens: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 James Short, 13 Joel Tomkins, 12 Duncan Taylor, 11 David Strettle, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Will Fraser, 6 Jackson Wray, 5 George Kruis, 4 Steve Borthwick (c), 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Rhys Gill.Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 Andy Saull, 21 Neil de Kock, 22 Nils Mordt, 23 Ben Ransom.

London Welsh: 15 Tom Arscott, 14 Phil MacKenzie, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Seb Jewell, 11 Seb Stegmann, 10 Gavin Henson, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Alfie To'oala, 7 Michael Hills, 6 Julio Cabello Farias, 5 Kirill Kulemin, 4 Jonathan Mills (c), 3 James Tideswell, 2 Greg Bateman, 1 Franck Montanella.Replacements: 16 Dan George, 17 Tom Bristow, 18 Paulica Ion, 19. Matt Corker, 20 Daniel Browne, 21 Alex Davies, 22 Gordon Ross, 23 Tom Voyce.