Manu can step up as Sarries return at last
SARACENS will end their three-month hiatus next week when they finally return to action in the Trailfinders Challenge Cup. Mark McCall’s side have not played since October after they were relegated from the Premiership for salary cap breaches. While England stars Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje are unlikely to play, it may be a chance for 20-year-old fly-half Manu Vunipola — cousin of Billy and Mako — to impress when they take on Ealing Trailfinders and Doncaster Knights, before the Championship season begins in March.
McCall said: ‘We’re delighted to be playing in the Trailfinders Challenge Cup ahead of the new season and thankful to those who have made it possible. The challenge of playing in competitive fixtures is one we’re looking forward to and will be ideal preparation for the season.’ While the Championship season has been delayed, Premiership clubs have been playing through the pandemic, despite major struggles with containing Covid. League chiefs this week reminded teams that, to help minimise the spread of the virus, they must not celebrate tries. London Irish boss Declan Kidney insisted the rules have been drilled into his players. He said: ‘It’s obviously a challenge, like lots of things in life right now. Rugby is an emotional game and you have to be there physically, mentally — emotionally as well. ‘So if something like that is to happen at the end of the game, you are looking for best practice and when you talk about it often enough, it triggers “OK, back off”.
You could see some ridiculous celebrations but if they are safer, I would prefer to see ridiculous and safe rather than just going for it. ‘So we have done this a lot in our meetings — reiterating these things to keep social distance when it comes to scores. We just have to watch that close contact. The whole thing is a challenge but there is a health element and sport in general has a job to do for society. There are people sitting at home who need some entertainment and it is our role to do that to the best of our ability.’