Saracens 'hurting' after Quins defeat - McCall

Maro Itoje was chosen to start by Saracens boss Mark McCall (left) against Harlequins after returning from England duty at the Six Nations

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said the team are hurting after last week's defeat by Harlequins but are looking to bounce back against Leicester Tigers.

He described his side's performance in the second half against Quins as "strangely subdued" and "disappointing", as they gave up a 12-0 lead at the break to lose 23-12 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Saracens lost the match despite starting England internationals Maro Itoje, Jamie George, Tom Willis and Elliot Daly, with the quartet all named to begin the match against Leicester.

The north London club are seventh in the Premiership table with six matches to play, but a victory on Sunday could move them up to fourth if other results go their way.

"A really disappointing, strangely subdued performance, when I watched it back," McCall told BBC Radio London.

"Everyone's hurting a little bit, of course, but the task this week is to try and turn that on its head.

"For some reason, and you're never quite sure [why], the team lacked their normal energy and that affected everything that we did in a negative way.

"We were a bit slower round the park in everything we did, and we have to face up to that and be better this weekend."

Leicester Tigers beat Saracens 32-29 when they met at StoneX Stadium earlier this season

Saracens have only missed out on a top-four finish in the Premiership twice since the 2008-09 season, when they were relegated for salary cap breaches at the end of the 2019-20 campaign and had to compete in the Championship the following season.

They have won six and lost six of their 12 Premiership matches this season, and face Toulon in the last 16 of the European Champions Cup.

Leicester beat Premiership title-holders Northampton Saints 33-0 at Franklin's Gardens last time out.

"They're a very impressive side, obviously Welford Road's a great place to go and play as well. They played outstandingly well last Friday night," McCall said.

Itoje set for 10-day break

Maro Itoje captained England to a runners-up finish in the Six Nations

Having started in the defeat against Harlequins, Saracens' England players George, Willis, Daly and captain Itoje again feature in the starting XV to face Leicester.

England skipper Itoje has played in every minute of 30 consecutive Six Nations matches, and McCall praised his leader for wanting to go straight back into the Sarries team.

"Obviously, it is impressive [his Six Nations record]. It's also super-impressive that he's keen to help out his club as well. Of course, he needs to be looked after as well, and there's a plan to give him a 10-day break," McCall added.

After facing Leicester, Saracens travel to Toulon on Saturday, 5 April, before a two-week gap until their following Premiership fixture against Gloucester on 19 April.

Leicester Tigers v Saracens full teams

Leicester: Steward; Radwan, Kata, Woodward, Hassell-Collins; Pollard, Van Poortvliet; Smith, Montoya, Heyes, Henderson, Chessum, Liebenberg, Reffell, Cracknell.

Replacements: Clare, Whitcombe, Cole, Wells, Ilione, Youngs, Shillcock, Perese.

Saracens: Daly; Elliott, Lozowski, Tompkins, Hall; Burke, Van Zyl; Mawi, George, Balmain, Itoje, Tizard, McFarland, Gonzalez, Willis.

Replacements: Dan, Carre, Riccioni, Isiekwe, Onyeama-Christie, Earl, Simpson, Goode

Referee: Luke Pearce.