Saracens’ Covid blow

Doncaster game cancelled

Saracens have cancelled their Trailfinders Challenge Cup pre-season fixture this weekend against Doncaster Knights, with 34 players unavailable through a combination of injury, suspension and Covid-19 isolation.

Two academy players tested positive for Covid-19, with a further 16 having to isolate due to contact tracing.

England’s Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, Maro Itoje, Mako Vunipola and Jamie George will go into the Six Nations having not played since early December.