Nick Tompkins to make first Saracens appearance in a year as Owen Farrell returns for Doncaster Knights clash

Nick Tompkins will make his first appearance for Saracens in over a year after being picked to start against Doncaster Knights on Sunday.

The Wales centre had been on loan at Pro14 club Dragons, but he returned to Saracens earlier this month.

Tompkins is one of five changes to this weekend’s team, with club captain Owen Farrell leading the side out having recovered from a slight niggle.

Fellow England stars Elliot Daly, Jamie George, Maro Itoje and the Vunipola brothers all start too against an unbeaten Doncaster side.

Tompkins, making his first Saracens appearance since February 2020, will partner Duncan Taylor in the midfield with Daly moving to full-back.

“I’m really excited to be back,” the 26-year-old said. “It’s my home so it’s been tough being away, especially watching the guys in another league and I’ve missed it a lot.

“I’m forever grateful to the Dragons and had a great time there but I’m looking to make some more memories with Saracens now.

“This is the most nervous I’ve been in a while as you want to get that respect back from the boys and build those relationships again.

“No team in this league is easy and we’ve got to be prepared for a fight. Doncaster are a good side with some momentum so it’s going to be exciting to play against them.

“I hope we can just rip in to it and go there with the shackles off and be physical.”