England stars named in Saints’ squad for Saracens clash

Calum Clark, Lee Dickson, Alex Corbisiero and Lee Dickson are also included for the first friendly ahead of the new season.

Hartley had been hit with a ban for headbutting Saracens hooker Jamie George in May’s Aviva Premiership semi-final play-off at Franklin’s Gardens.

But the hooker, who has decided to call time on a six-year stint as Saints captain, was free to play again on September 21 and is set to play a part at Allianz Park.

Burrell, Clark, Dickson, Corbisiero and Stephen Myler were all cut from England’s World Cup squad.

But they will add valuable power and panache to Saints’ group as they build up to the Premiership opener at Worcester Warriors on October 16.

So too will a number of new recruits, with JJ Hanrahan, Pat Howard Luke Eves, Tom Kessell Paul Hill and Jamie Gibson in line to make first Saints appearances on Saturday.

Saracens also have several top players available and they have selected a team that includes the likes of Jim Hamilton and former Saints wing Chris Ashton.

The game at Allianz Park will kick-off at 2pm and Saints will be keen to start their pre-season campaign with a win ahead of the friendly at Wasps eight days later.

Saints squad: Backs: Burrell, Collins, Dickson (c), Elliott, Eves, Foden, Hanrahan, Howard, Hutchinson, Kessell, Myler, Packman, Stephenson, Tuala. Forwards: Clark, Corbisiero, Day, Denman, Dickinson, Fisher, Gibson, Harrison, Hartley, Haywood, Hill, Ludlam, Nutley, Parkins, A Waller, E Waller, Williams, Woolford.

Saracens team: Morris; Streather, Tompkins, Ellery; Kerr, Spencer; Joubert, Fraser, Rhodes; Itoje (c), Hamilton; Du Plessis, Saunders, Gill.

Replacements: Porecki, Barrington, Alo, Gower, Brown, Wray, De Kock, Mordt, Griffiths, Earle, Gallagher, Morris.