THE big South African is back. On Tuesday, Francois Pienaar took to the field again in the midweek roadshow against Wasps, playing the full 80 minutes.

In what was a closely-fought battle, Saracens clinched a late victory at Hertford RFC, with a final score of 31-27.

Mike Scott, team administration manager, said: "It was a good win but not the greatest performance against a reasonably good Wasps side.

"It was a high scoring game with plenty to watch.

"The good news is the return of Francois with a convincing display.

"He's put himself on the bench for the Leicester game and is expected to play at some point."

Refereeing the midweek clash was Chris Rees. Pienaar had confronted Rees in the tunnel after the London Scottish win at the Stoop Memorial Ground, over the 16 penalties awarded against the visitors.

According to Mike Scott, the two men got on amicably during Tuesday's Wasps game as a crowd of nearly 500 people flocked to witness Sarries' victory.

Before the game, first team players led a coaching session for 300 youth players.

The team for Sunday's match sees a return to full match fitness for all the players injured against London Scottish and Swansea. Only Steve Ravenscroft, with rib injuries, and Gregg Botterman, with a dead leg, have ruled themselves out of contention.

TEAM: Johnson; Singer, Constable, Thomson, Daniel; Penaud, Bracken; Grau, Chuter, Wallace; Johns, Grewcock; Coker, Hill, Diprose.

After returning to fitness, Pienaar has put himself on the bench while a good midweek performance by Brad Free earns him a place in the substitutes for the first time since November last year.

Discussing the game's prospects Mike Scott said: "This is the early crunch game of the season, although it's hardly going to decide the Premiership title. We are confident but don't expect it to be easy.

"With a big home crowd we would expect to play well and therefore win. I am sure Leicester are thinking the same thing."

Saturday sees the youth team taking on London Scottish away, hoping to follow in the victorious footsteps of their senior colleagues.

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