Saracens vs Newcastle team news: Farrell captains changed side as Wade targets try record

The Saracens vs Newcastle team news sees Owen Farrell captain a side with 10 changes to its starting XV on Saturday, while visiting winger Christian Wade chases the Premiership’s outright try-scoring record.

The Premiership Rugby Round 5 match kicks off at 3pm GMT at StoneX Stadium. Newcastle arrive after their first league victory of the season, while Saracens seek a response to their 33-15 defeat at Harlequins.

Dan McFarland makes three starting changes for Newcastle, bringing back Alex Hearle and Cam Jordan while Sam Graham replaces the injured Hoskins Sotutu at number eight.

Saracens vs Newcastle team news: Farrell leads as 10 changes are made

Only Theo Dan, Marcus Street, Nathan Michelow, Rotimi Segun and Nick Tompkins retain their starting places from the defeat at The Stoop.

Farrell partners Tom James at half-back. Sione Va’enuku starts at inside centre, with Tompkins moving to outside centre, while Elliot Daly is at full-back and Tobias Elliott returns to the starting side after injury.

Alfie Barbeary starts at number eight. Jamie George, George Martin and Ben Earl are among the replacements, with Saracens selecting five forwards and three backs on the bench.

The selections are confirmed in Saracens’ official team announcement.

Hugh Tizard’s 100th Saracens appearance

Hugh Tizard starts alongside Nick Isiekwe in the second row for his 100th Saracens appearance.

The lock joined from Harlequins in 2022 and reaches the milestone four years after arriving in north London. In the club’s tribute to his century, Tizard described joining Saracens’ list of players with 100 appearances as a special achievement.

“When I joined here four years ago, I didn’t think I’d get this far,” he said.

Newcastle team news: Hearle returns, Sotutu misses out

Hearle returns at outside centre alongside Will Rigg, with Jordan joining Oscar Usher at lock.

Newcastle confirmed on Friday that Graham replaces the injured Sotutu at number eight, in a back row completed by Max Hicks and captain Tom Christie, who recently signed a two-year contract extension.

Former Saracens hooker Samson Adejimi is named on Newcastle’s bench. Ollie Leatherbarrow is also among the replacements following his first Scotland call-up.

McFarland said Newcastle would respect Saracens’ international experience but travel with confidence after beating Sale. The selections and Sotutu’s absence are confirmed in Newcastle’s announcement.

Christian Wade try record: Newcastle winger eyes Ashton’s mark

Wade starts on the right wing after drawing level with Chris Ashton on 101 Premiership tries.

His score in Newcastle’s 17-3 victory over Sale brought him alongside Ashton at the top of the competition’s all-time list. Another against Saracens would give him the record outright.

The milestone accompanies a wider challenge for Newcastle: backing up the result that ended their losing start to the league campaign. Saracens, meanwhile, are looking to recover after conceding five tries, including a penalty try, at Harlequins.

Our Round Four Premiership roundup covers both teams’ contrasting results.

Saracens vs Newcastle kick-off time and how to watch

Date	Saturday 31 October 2026
Kick-off	3pm GMT
Venue	StoneX Stadium
Competition	Premiership Rugby, Round 5
Live on	HBO Max

Newcastle’s official announcement confirms HBO Max coverage, and the Premiership match centre lists the fixture at StoneX Stadium. For the television listing and viewing details, see our Saracens vs Newcastle TV guide.

Saracens confirmed XV and replacements

Starting XV: 15 Elliot Daly; 14 Tobias Elliott, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Sione Va’enuku, 11 Rotimi Segun; 10 Owen Farrell (captain), 9 Tom James; 1 Alex O’Driscoll, 2 Theo Dan, 3 Marcus Street; 4 Nick Isiekwe, 5 Hugh Tizard; 6 Nathan Michelow, 7 Toby Knight, 8 Alfie Barbeary.

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Phil Brantingham, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 George Martin, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Charlie Bracken, 22 Max Malins, 23 Noah Caluori.

Newcastle Red Bulls confirmed XV and replacements

Starting XV: 15 Josh Hodge; 14 Christian Wade, 13 Alex Hearle, 12 Will Rigg, 11 Werner Kok; 10 Brett Connon, 9 Simón Benítez Cruz; 1 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Elliot Millar Mills; 4 Oscar Usher, 5 Cam Jordan; 6 Max Hicks, 7 Tom Christie (captain), 8 Sam Graham.

Replacements: 16 Samson Adejimi, 17 Tom West, 18 Francisco Moreno, 19 Finn Baker, 20 Ollie Leatherbarrow, 21 James Elliott, 22 Zack Henry, 23 Chris Harris.

Saracens vs Newcastle: frequently asked questions

What time is Saracens vs Newcastle?

Kick-off is at 3pm GMT on Saturday, 31 October, at StoneX Stadium.

How many changes have Saracens made?

Saracens have made 10 changes to their starting XV, with only Theo Dan, Marcus Street, Nathan Michelow, Rotimi Segun and Nick Tompkins keeping their places.

How many Premiership tries has Christian Wade scored?

Wade has 101 Premiership tries, level with Chris Ashton at the top of the all-time list. Another would give him the record outright.