Saints handed double boost ahead of Saracens showdown

Paul Hill has not played for Saints since the win at Scarlets in January (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

Prop Paul Hill and lock Courtney Lawes have both been released by England and will be available for the trip to Allianz Park.

But Dylan Hartley and Kieran Brookes remain in camp for training ahead of the vital March 12 Six Nations clash with Wales at Twickenham.

Saracens have also been given some good news, with the Premiership table-toppers welcoming Jamie George and Alex Goode back.

Hooker George and full-back Goode will be a big help to Sarries, who have lost Schalk Brits to suspension and who have a number of other players still with England.

Mako Vunipola, George Kruis, Maro Itoje, Billy Vunipola and Owen Farrell will stay with England at their training camp at University of Bath.

England’s retained list: Brookes (Saints), Cole (Leicester Tigers), Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Clifford (Harlequins), Hartley (Saints), Haskell (Wasps), Itoje (Saracens), Kruis (Saracens), Launchbury (Wasps), Marler (Harlequins), Robshaw (Harlequins), Vunipola (Saracens), Vunipola (Saracens); Brown (Harlequins), Care (Harlequins), Daly (Wasps), Farrell (Saracens), Ford (Bath Rugby), Joseph (Bath Rugby), Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Watson (Bath Rugby), Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Released: Mullan (Wasps), George (Saracens), Hill (Saints), Lawes (Saints), Kvesic (Gloucester), Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), Yarde (Harlequins), Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby), Goode (Saracens).