PIRI Weepu returns to the London Welsh side to take on Saracens at Allianz Park today (3), with head coach Justin Burnell admitting is was nice to have a selection headache, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

The Exiles have been blighted by injury throughout the campaign so far, but have several key players returning to fitness.

With a number of fringe players also impressing in recent European Challenge Cup matches, the Exiles head coach said it was pleasing to have choices to make.

“It’s common knowledge, the extent of our injuries,” said Burnell.

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“We’re not using it as an excuse, but it has been difficult.

“It’s starting to ease now, which is a big plus for us and gave me a bit of a dilemma.

“People have come in recently and put their hand up and really made a case for being part of the team.

“Then we also have other players coming back from injury with a proven track record, so it does give me a few decisions to make.”

Weepu, the New Zealand World Cup winner, will start at fly half rather than his usual scrum half position, with Olly Barkley moving to centre.

Will Robinson starts at full back with Elliot Kear moving to the left wing and Seb Stegmann named on the right flank.

Barkley moves from fly half to inside centre with Nic Reynolds returning to the side at outside centre. Rob Lewis and Weepu form a new-look half-back partnership.

In the forwards, Ricky Reeves and Koree Britton come into the front row.

Pete Browne moves from blindside flanker to the second row, while Lachlan McCaffrey takes over the No 6 jersey. Tonga international Optei Fonua starts at No 8.

Flanker Carl Kirwan will captain the side.

Despite a bolstered squad and signs of improvement in recent matches Burnell played down his side’s chances of upsetting the odds.

“Let’s be honest, no-one else is expecting us to go and take anything back from there,” he said.

“Our first priority is our performance and continuing the progress we’ve seen in recent weeks.

“If we do that and we can come back with something it will be a bonus.

“Saracens are pretty much a who’s who of world rugby with the players they’ve got. They’re definitely up there with the best in the world.

“But if you’re a player, these are the sides you want to test yourself against.”

Saracens’ team features England internationals Owen Farrell, Chris Ashton, George Kruis and the Vunipola brothers Billy and Mako – the former starting on the bench.

TODAY’S LINE-UPS

Saracens: Ransom, Ashton, Bosch, Taylor, Wyles, Farrell, De Kock, M Vunipola, Sharman, Johnston, Kruis, Hamilton, Wray, Brown, Joubert (capt). Reps: George, Barrington, Du Plessis, Botha, B Vunipola, Wigglesworth, Hodgson, Tompkins.

London Welsh: Robinson, Stegmann, Reynolds, Barkley, Kear, Weepu, R Lewis, Reeves, Britton, Vea, P Browne, Down, McCaffrey, Kirwan (capt), Fonua. Reps: Morris, Trevett, Cooper, Schofield, Pienaar, Rowley, May, Scott.

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