England star Elliot Daly set for Saracens return after four-month injury absence

12/01/2021

Saracens will be able to count on Elliot Daly again with the 29-year-old now back in contention to play after a four-month injury layoff.

The England back has been out of action ever since he was forced out of the British and Irish Lions ' second Test defeat to South Africa in the summer.

He had suffered a stress fracture and underwent surgery upon returning to the UK.

Daly has been out of action ever since, but Saracens fans would have been delighted to see him take part in the team warm-up before their game against Sale Sharks last weekend.

And he is now available to play for the Gallagher Premiership title challengers this weekend as they take on Exeter.

"He is available for selection this weekend," rugby director Mark McCall confirmed when asked about his fitness.

The timing of Daly's return will is key for the side which sits second in the table, with two more key players absent in the form of Owen Farrell and Jamie George.

As well as the boost of his return, McCall will also be hoping to take advantage of Billy Vunipola's irresistible form when they head to the south west.

"It is a series of games that Billy has put together," McCall added. "He has been playing 80 minutes for us every week, he is in great shape, he is playing really good rugby.

"He kind of sets the emotional tone for the team, and I've no doubt that he will be right at the heart of that again on Saturday afternoon."

It is the first time Saracens have met Exeter for more than a year, having been relegated from the top flight at the end of the 2019-20 season and slapped with a fine of more than £5million for breaking salary cap rules.

Exeter were among those who criticised Saracens most fiercely, perhaps adding an edge to this clash.

But McCall was keen to quash any talk of that being a factor as they aim for one more win in their quest to win the title in their first season back in the Premiership.

Asked about motivation, McCall said: "I think we try to keep it on an even keel. We try not to hype things up too much.

"We want to be a really consistent team who don't pick and choose when we get more motivated than when we don't.

"There are obviously games certain individuals are going to really enjoy getting up for, and for some people that might be Exeter.

"Our motivation is very inward in lots of ways. We've got a really good group who care a lot about what they do and a lot about each other, and that has served us well down the years."

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