Captain Steve Borthwick returns from the shoulder injury that has ruled him out for the past four games in Saracens clash with Leeds while Richard Wigglesworth, Michael Tagicakibau and James Short all come back into the starting line-up for the match.

Jamie George is also given a start at hooker with Schalk Brits named on the bench, while Andy Saull comes in for Jacques Burger who has been ruled out for eight weeks with a knee injury.

On the bench, Matt Stevens continues his comeback while Hugh Vyvyan, Jackson Wray, Neil de Kock and Rodd Penney are among those named.

“Before last weekend’s game at Northampton, we had 9 matches remaining in the regular Premiership season – or 9 projects as we are thinking of it,” explained Director of Rugby Mark McCall. “Northampton was project one, Sunday’s game against Leeds is project two and we have had a great week of preparation.

“Leeds are a very well organised side who will fight for everything and we need to be ready for that. They have a very good set piece with a number of talented players – they will work hard, but we must work harder.”

Saracens line-up vs Leeds Carnegie

15 Alex Goode

14 James Short

13 Michael Tagicakibau

12 Brad Barritt

11 Chris Wyles

10 Owen Farrell

9 Richard Wigglesworth

1 Rhys Gill

2 Jamie George

3 Carlos Nieto

4 Steve Borthwick ©

5 Hayden Smith

6 Justin Melck

7 Andy Saull

8 Ernst Joubert

16 Schalk Brits

17 Jared Saunders

18 Matt Stevens

19 Hugh Vyvyan

20 Jackson Wray

21 Neil de Kock

22 Rodd Penney

23 Noah Cato