Roques out for six weeks

Tony Roques will have to watch from the stands when Saracens play Bath on Sunday as he faces six weeks out of the game with a thigh injury.

Back-row forward Roques, who could become part of England's World Cup plans next year, was taken off on a stretcher after 36 minutes against Bristol last weekend and has had to have internal stitching to his right leg.

Saracens had hoped for better luck with injuries this season after the high-profile problems which hit French star Thomas Castaignede and Australia's Tim Horan last year.

Roques, who celebrates his 24th birthday on Saturday, was named Saracens player of the year last campaign and was the club's only representative in the England Sevens squad at the Commonwealth Games.

He has played for various England sports teams since Under-16 level and his hard work on the basketball court and as a track athlete are pushing him closer to the England senior squad. Saracens captain Kyran Bracken insists that the club has to recover from the poor results of last season and the 45-30 win at Bristol has set them on the right track.

Mike Catt, Bath's 30-year-old England three-quarter, could be facing Saracens in his first match for seven months. Catt last played against Harlequins in February when he damaged a shoulder and needed an operation.