ITALY hero Fabio Ongaro has been recalled to the first team line-up for Saracens' European Challenge Cup clash with Narbonne tomorrow (Saturday, October 28, kick-off 6.30pm local time).

Hooker Ongaro, who has returned from international duty having helped the Azzuri book their place at next year's World Cup, will start in the Parc des Sports et de l'Amitie (Park of the Sports and the Friendship) with second row Tom Ryder, while winger Tevita Vaikona makes his first start of the season.

The trio replace Iain Fullarton, Matt Cairns and Richard Haughton, with Fullarton reverting to the bench.

"Both Tevita and Tom have performed very well in recent A team matches and they deserve an opportunity in the first team," said director of rugby, Alan Gaffney, who is expecting a tough test in the south of France.

"Narbonne are a side who very few teams can pull away from and are very difficult to play against at home. As is traditional for a French side, Narbonne like to keep the ball in the air, have a strong forward pack and an extremely good goalkicker in Cedric Rosalen who can knock over penalties five metres inside his own half.

"We'll have to be mindful not to concede silly penalties but our discipline, certainly over the past three or four games, has been very, very good."

He added: "Narbonne are not recognised as one of the premier sides in the top 14, but they are capable of turning in good performances and this season have already beaten Biarritz at home and only narrowly lost at Toulouse a few weeks ago.

"Playing any French side at home is a challenging prospect but it is one we are looking forward to.

"It's going to be a battle but we're going there full of confidence and a win will give us a good crack at making the quarter-finals," added Gaffney.

Saracens: Scarbrough, Ratuvou, Sorrell, Johnston, Vaikona, Jackson, de Kock; Yates, Ongaro, Visagie, Ryder, Raiwalui (cpt), Vyvyan, Seymour, Skirving. Replacements: Byrne, Liffchak, Fullarton, Chesney, Dickens, Farrell, Penney.