Saracens dominate England's Six Nations side (From Watford Observer)

Saracens' Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt handed England debuts in Six Nations

10:01am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in News By Simon Mail

Owen Farrell will make his debut for England against Scotland in the Six Nations and is one of five Saracens players named in the side.

Brad Barritt and second row forward Mouritz Botha will also make their first starts for England on Saturday night in the opener at Murrayfield.

Charlie Hodgson starts at fly-half, as expected, while winger David Strettle makes his return to the side after missing the World Cup.

In addition to the quintet, Chris Ashton, who is joining Saracens this summer, also lines up in the backline.

Having a third of the side from Sarries is a far cry from previous years where the club have been barely represented in the England side.

Lancaster said: "Charlie is one of the form fly-halves in the Premiership and it has been like a new lease of life for him playing with some younger players and taking the lead, which is exactly what you want from a fly-half.

"Owen has done extremely well. His temperament and core skills have been very impressive and Brad Barritt at 13 will give us the balance we are looking for in our centre partnership.

"They are used to playing together, but we will use them slightly differently to how Saracens do.

"We have our own personal philosophy and it is not mirrored on anyone else."