TV RACE TO SHOW SARRIES FRIENDLY

BT SPORT are looking into showing Saracens’ friendly match against Ealing Trailfinders this Saturday, having had their rugby schedule wiped clean by cancellations. They were due to show every European Champions and Challenge Cup match over the next two weekends. But after the French government forced their postponement, and the Premiership opted not to fill the gap, BT were left without live rugby until January 29. Sources have told Sportsmail that BT are now hastily investigating whether they could broadcast Saracens’ trip to Ealing — set to be the only men’s rugby match in England this weekend. They would need to act fast to prepare Vallis Way for a live broadcast and it would likely be a watered-down version of their usual coverage. The match is part of the Trailfinders Challenge Cup — a hurriedly arranged six-match tournament funded by Ealing’s multi-millionaire owner Mike Gooley between relegated Sarries and their top Championship rivals, running before the league begins in March. Ealing are offering a streaming broadcast service for the friendly game, which is free for season ticket holders but will cost everyone else £8.99 each to watch. Both teams have been Covid tested, but Ealing still need a final go-ahead to stage it. Saracens Women had their match against Sale postponed last Saturday as authorities were worried hospital beds would not be available in London in the case of a bad injury. However, there is confidence that he Ealing-Saracens game will go ahead, and while they will not roll out all of their Test stars, Sarries may give the likes of Billy Vunipola a 20-minute run, having not played since the start of December.