Saracens have made nine changes to the starting XV for Sunday’s Gallagher PREM London derby against Harlequins at The Stoop, with Maro Itoje named to captain the side.
The move comes after Saracens were involved in a 13-try contest against Connacht in the Investec Champions Cup in Galway, and the full matchday squad has now been set for the trip across London. Itoje’s selection is the headline change, with the England forward moving from blindside to the second row while taking on the captaincy duties.
New look for the derby
The changes give Saracens a different shape for the Harlequins fixture, with fresh combinations across the side. In the backs, Tomos Williams is in the lineup, while the midfield includes Nick Tompkins and Lucio Cinti. Rotimi Segun also comes into the side, adding another attacking option for the London derby.
There are further adjustments in the pack and on the bench, with Rhys Carré, Theo Dan, George Martin and Ben Earl among the key names involved. Jamie George, Max Malins and Elliot Daly are also part of the matchday group, while Fergus Burke and Jack Bracken provide additional cover in the squad.
For Saracens, the selection signals both rotation and intent. A derby away at The Stoop is always a demanding test, and the nine changes suggest the club are managing the balance between freshness and continuity after their Champions Cup outing. Even so, the inclusion of Itoje as captain underlines how important the fixture is, and how much Saracens will expect from a side built to compete from the start.
The match gives Saracens a quick return to Gallagher PREM action, but the bigger picture is straightforward: a strong derby selection, a new captaincy arrangement and a starting XV shaped to handle one of the league’s most familiar rivalries.
