Saracens Rest England Players, Face Champions Cup Sanctions

Saracens' director of rugby Mark McCall has defended the decision to rest five England players for their Champions Cup last-16 match against Toulon, prioritizing the domestic Premiership amidst player welfare regulations. Maro Itoje, Jamie George, Tom Willis, Ben Earl, and Elliot Daly will not play, having to fulfill a mandatory rest period following the Six Nations. This decision has drawn criticism, with some, like Harlequins' coach Danny Wilson, arguing it disrespects the Champions Cup. EPCR, the organizing body of the tournament, is concerned about Saracens not fielding their best players and may impose sanctions if they do not reconsider. McCall insists that the choice was made collectively with the players, citing the need to manage their workload effectively. He emphasized that while they will not send a weakened team, the focus remains on securing a playoff spot in the Premiership.