Saracens stars’ ‘golden sabbatical’ can boost Lions tour, says McCall

Mark McCall believes Saracens' England stars have a “golden opportunity” to take a "sabbatical" next term and boost their British and Irish Lions tour selection chances.

Saracens will be relegated to the Championship due to salary cap breaches, but the bulk of their top stars have committed to a season in the second tier.

Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Mako and Billy Vunipola,

Maro Itoje and Elliot Daly are all on board for the Championship campaign, and Saracens are already weighing up how best to improve their chances of being picked for both England and the Lions.

Saracens are ready to use those six stars sparingly in the Championship, opening the door to extended rest that could leave them fit and firing for the Lions' July 2021 tour to

South Africa.

McCall will consider sending his England contingent on loan stints to the southern hemisphere's Super Rugby tournament – and knows that Lions boss Warren Gatland is happy with Saracens' plans.

“The most important thing for us, if I am honest, is that we get promoted, that is going to be the first priority,” said McCall.

“Those senior players might only need a couple of Championship games to keep them ticking over. If they need more competitive rugby there are avenues to make decisions with that player.”

Asked about possible Super Rugby loans, McCall continued: “I don’t think it is out of the question but this is their golden opportunity to have a quieter club year, something akin to a sabbatical.

“I don’t think if that was to happen it would be for very long. It would be to get enough rugby to make sure they are firing come the Lions tour.

“I talked to Warren Gatland on Monday and he was very happy with the situation.

“The Lions have a warmup game before the tour where I would expect all of our players selected to tour to be involved.

"There are some warmup games before the first

Test match and that might be enough for them.

“The opportunity has arisen for these players to have a little bit of a different year and we will look to use it as wisely as we can.”

Saracens have lost nine senior players due to their enforced relegation, while six more flourishing talents have headed out on loan before returning to north London in 2021-22.