Saracens rest case in Farrell mystery

Given Farrell's bad luck since switching from rugby league - misfortune which dogged him throughout the World Cup - it is understandable that fans assumed the worst.

But Sarries director of rugby Alan Gaffney has made it clear that the player was being given a break to allow young Adam Powell a run at inside centre.

"When we say Faz is being rested, we mean exactly that," said Gaffney. "Our coaching staff agreed Faz was our best player against Biarritz last weekend.

"In fact, he came out well on top of Damien Traille, their French international centre. I explained the thinking behind the decision to Faz and suggested he may want to take a couple of days to see the family in Wigan and his response was to get out on the training pitch and do some extra sessions!

"After playing three games in a row following his return from the World Cup he is being given a break. We have a strong squad and players need to get game time and Adam Powell is a case in point.

"We are also resting outside-half Glen Jackson with Gordon Ross taking over the No10 jersey against the Irish. Faz has been performing really well and I am very happy with him."

The omission of Farrell means no head-to-head with fellow England veteran Mike Catt on Sunday.

Catt, now the backs coach at Irish, has recovered from a calf injury and will again pull the tactical strings from outside-half in an Irish side that have registered bonus-point wins in the Heineken Cup over Treviso and Newport Gwent Dragons.

Irish have won five of their last six matches at Watford and Gaffney will demand his players avoid the pitfalls of previous meetings. He said: "We cannot afford to get sucked into a sevens style of rugby. We like to move the ball as well but not in a frenzied way that suits Irish."

All Black lock Chris Jack, Saracens' only overseas player, arrives in London next week to link up with the club, having recently become a father.

Farrell is not the only high-profile player being left out of a first XV this weekend. Lawrence Dallaglio and lock Simon Shaw are also being given a breather as they will both start on the bench when London Wasps host Newcastle on Sunday.

George Skivington, Wasps most consistent player this season, is joined in the second row by Richard Birkett, who replaces Shaw.

Newcastle will be without Jonny Wilkinson, who is still battling to overcome his World Cup ankle injury, and his regular deputy Toby Flood.

Fourth-placed Harlequins have lost their last three matches in all competitions and their last away win in the Premiership was in February at Northampton, which suggests Dean Richards's outfit are going to find life difficult at Gloucester tomorrow.

However, Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan said: "This is a massive game for us and with competitors like Paul Volley and De Wet Barry in their side, it makes Quins very serious opponents."