Saracens call Chris Wyles out of retirement to ease winger headache

Saracens have had to take the remarkable step of calling Chris Wyles out of retirement for this weekend’s Premiership clash with Sale on Saturday - because they ran out of wingers.

Former USA international Wyles, 35, retired in the summer after a decade with Saracens but returned to training this week with the club’s stocks out wide stretched. His final game – or at least what he thought was his final game – was the Premiership final win over Exeter at Twickenham.

But Sean Maitland is with Scotland, Liam Williams with Wales, David Strettle has a broken foot, while Matt Gallagher and Ali Crossdale have knocks that will keep them out this week.

That left Alex Lewington as the champions’ only remaining winger, so director of rugby Mark McCall got in touch with Wyles, who was called back into action and is expected to start.

“It’s a bit surreal but I’m delighted to be back and to have the opportunity to play for Saracens again,” Wyles said.

“The possibility of getting back out in front of the Allianz Park crowd and playing in front of the people who have been most supportive of me and Wolfpack is an awesome thought.”

Whether Wyles plays beyond this weekend is unclear with Gallagher and Crossdale fighting to be in contention to face Leicester next Sunday.