Wikus van Heerden will make his debut start as one of three changes to the Saracens starting line-up for Sunday's Guinness Premiership clash against London Irish.

The Springbok World Cup winner came off the bench to make his first appearance in Sarries colours last weekend and the 29-year-old back rower is given a start at the Madejski Stadium ahead of Andy Saull.

In other team news, Rodd Penney returns to the wing after shaking off a calf injury and he takes the place of Kevin Sorrell who moves to the replacements bench. Tom Ryder is also given the nod to start in the second row with Kris Chesney named as one of the replacements.

"Andy Saull has played extremely well all season but we just feel that we'd get a better 80 minutes out of Wikus van Heerden this week," explained Saracens Director of Rugby Eddie Jones. "Both Wikus and Brad Barritt showed up well in their debuts last week so they continue in the side. Rodd Penney is fit again so he returns in place of Kevin Sorrell who did very well for us last week on the wing.

"It's going to be a tough game against London Irish but we will be going there looking to impose our attack and defence. We were disappointed with the performance against Gloucester last week and we've identified the areas in which we need to improve and I expect us to do just that this weekend."

Saracens line-up
15 Alex Goode
14 Rodd Penney
13 Adam Powell
12 Andy Farrell (c)
11 Noah Cato
10 Glen Jackson
9 Neil de Kock

1 Nick Lloyd
2 Matt Cairns
3 Cobus Visagie
4 Tom Ryder
5 Hugh Vyvyan
6 Ben Skirving
7 Wikus van Heerden
8 Michael Owen

16 Andy Kyriacou
17 Tom Mercey
18 Kris Chesney
19 Andy Saull
20 Micky Wilson
21 Brad Barritt
22 Kevin Sorrell

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