Vyvyan poised for timely return

Hugh Vyvyan has declared himself fit to play for Saracens in Sunday's crunch Powergen Cup quarter-final at home to London Irish.

Saracens' best hope of qualifying for next season's Heineken Cup now seems to rest with the domestic cup, meaning Vyvyan's recovery from an ankle injury could not be better timed.

The skipper and key forward has not played since Saracens beat Newcastle in the Cup on 19 December.

But he said: "I was able to do quite a bit of running during England's training camp in Leeds over the past three days, and the ankle feels pretty good. The fact this tie is on Sunday has given me that little bit more time to make sure I'm there. It's a truly massive game for us."

Saracens also hope to welcome back from injury two other internationals, Kyran Bracken and Thomas Castaignede. HARLEQUINS have signed former South Africa scrum-half Dave von Hoesslin, 29, from Natal Sharks.