Saracens pair ruled out by injury

Owen will not be able to play for Saracens again this season

Saracens pair Neil de Kock and Michael Owen are both facing lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Scrum-half De Kock suffered a broken arm in Sunday's win over Bristol and will be out for between and 12 weeks.

Number eight Owen has undergone knee reconstructive surgery and is out for the rest of the season.

"It is a blow as both players are important members of the squad," director of rugby Eddie Jones told the club's website.

"Neil picked up the injury against Bristol and it says a lot about the man that he got to his feet to make a tackle despite having already suffered the injury.

"Michael picked up a knee injury against Gloucester and it proved to be more serious that we first thought.

"He's had to have reconstructive surgery and that will rule him out for the rest of the season. It's frustrating news as he has been playing very well for us this year.

"But the strength of your squad is determined by the depth of your squad and the other back rows and scrum halves in the team will need to step up.

"We have enough cover in the back row but with only two halfbacks in the first team squad, we may look to bring in another player as cover."

Sarries take on Viadana at Vicarage Road in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday.