North one of six key Saints missing for Saracens showdown

SITTING IT OUT - winger George North will not feature for Saints against Saracens (Picture: Linda Dawson)

The Wales wing is not in the matchday squad, while Alex Corbisiero, Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood and Lee Dickson are also missing due to England commitments.

Consequently, Saints have made five changes to the side which beat Ospreys 27-16 at Franklin’s Gardens last weekend.

Mike Haywood, Calum Clark, Sam Dickinson, Kahn Fotuali’i and Ken Pisi all make their way into the team, which will be captained by Phil Dowson.

Luther Burrell and Ben Foden both start after being released by England this week.

Dom Waldouck, Ross McMillan and Ben Nutley could all make their first first-team appearances of the season from the bench.

Saracens, who have also been hit by international call-ups, have named former Saint Nils Mordt at fly-half in the absence of England’s Owen Farrell and injured Charlie Hodgson.

But full-back Alex Goode does start as he, like Burrell and Foden, was given the nod by Red Rose boss Stuart Lancaster.

Saints: Foden; K Pisi, G Pisi, Burrell, Elliott; Myler, Fotuali’i; A Waller, Haywood, Ma’afu, Manoa, Day, Clark, Dowson (c), Dickinson.

Replacements: McMillan, E Waller, Denman, Nutley, van Velze, Glynn, Waldouck, Wilson.

Saracens: Goode; Tagicakibau, Wyles, Taylor, Strettle; Mordt, Wigglesworth; Barrington, Brits, Stevens; Borthwick (c), Hargreaves; Brown, Burger, Joubert.

Replacements: George, Auterac, Johnston, Botha, Wray, de Kock, Bosch, Ransom.