Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell to miss Premiership return with injury

England captain Owen Farrell will miss the Premiership’s big return this weekend.

The fly-half is suffering from a tight quadricep and as a result Saracens did not want to risk him for Saturday's match with Bristol Bears.

Full-back Elliot Daly misses out too with a tight hamstring and captain Brad Barritt is absent as he is being managed back to full fitness after a long break.

But Saracens, who are already relegated, have otherwise named a strong side and five players who played in last year’s World Cup final all start, with Vincent Koch, Jamie George and Mako Vunipola making up the front-row.

Maro Itoje starts at lock and Billy Vunipola completes a formidable pack after being giving the nod at No8.

In the backs, Alex Goode will start at fly-half in the absence of Farrell and he will be paired with scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth.