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England internationals thrown straight back into fray as Saracens face Harlequins at London Stadium

Action men: Harlequins’ Kyle Sinckler and Saracens’ Mako Vunipola will face off a week after playing for England: Getty Images
Action men: Harlequins’ Kyle Sinckler and Saracens’ Mako Vunipola will face off a week after playing for England: Getty Images

Saracens are giving Owen Farrell a well-earned rest but nine of the England players beaten by Ireland last weekend will be on duty at London Stadium, where Harlequins will attempt to turn over the European champions in front of a sell-out 57,000 crowd.

Lock George Kruis is also rested for this key Premiership clash but Sarries have named Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Maro Itoje and Richard Wigglesworth, along with Wales wing Liam Williams and Scotland’s Sean Maitland, in their squad. Quins will feature England internationals Mike Brown, Danny Care, Kyle Sinckler, Joe Marler and Chris Robshaw.

For Sarries hooker Schalk Brits, the stadium holds special memories as it was there he played his final match for South Africa, against the United States in the 2015 World Cup.

“It is amazing that I am going back to where I played my last match for the Springboks — I never thought it would happen,” said Brits, who will retire at the end of the season.

“I am sure it will be a great atmosphere because we have sold out the match. This is a game where we really want to generate some momentum. We haven’t hit our best form for various reasons this season, so this match is a very big momentum-builder for us.

“Quins always make it tough for us — we seem to bring the best out of them — so it’s great to have our international guys back.

“Besides beating Quins and keeping up our bid for the Premiership title by finishing in the top two, it will be important to set ourselves up for our European Champions Cup game against Leinster [in Dublin on Easter Sunday].”

England flanker Jack Clifford is back in the Quins squad after a lengthy absence with a shoulder injury.