Mark McCall is adamant Saracens will not be distracted by their match with the World champions when they take on Northampton Saints tomorrow.

The Men in Black travel to Franklin's Gardens for their second LV= Anglo Welsh Cup match and McCall insists all the focus is on their immediate challenge.

Sarries' first-team coach said: "We said all along every game is important and we expect the players to have the same intensity every week.

"We've got people handed their first opportunity this weekend who will be hungry and enthusiastic. I think we'll have a lot of motivated people.

"It's an unusual format to the competition. It's a strange structure and obviously some people are using it as a vehicle to blood some academy players. We've got to manage our resources effectively."

Sarries will blood several of their youngsters who have impressed for the Storm side this season.

Back row forward George Kruis should make his debut and wing James Short is in line for his first start as the team prepare for the first of three games in eight days.

On facing the Saints, McCall added: "They're a very good team home and away. But they're very difficult to play at Franklin's Gardens. They've got three or four players away with internationals, but they're not too badly affected and I'm sure will be using their squad having rested a lot of them last week against the Ospreys.

"There will definitely be some good players getting their first opportunity this season. But we'll surround the younger players with some experienced guys.

"We've got some players away on the internationals – Chris Wyles, Hayden Smith and Moses Rauluni – and one or two injuries so it's all hands to the pump. Justin Marshall is still unavailable and Tom Ryder strained his calf in the warm-up against Bath."