SARACENS’ England contingent began what could become a nerve-wracking week by helping Mark McCall’s men to a sixth consecutive Championship victory on Saturday.

The Vunipola brothers, Mako and Billy, Maro Itoje, Owen Farrell and Elliot Daly all have eyes on places in the British & Irish Lions squad, which will be announced on Thursday, but at the weekend their primary focus was on getting the job done at Nottingham.

It was a task Saracens carried out efficiently, running in eight tries over the course of a 56-0 win which leaves them third, behind Doncaster and leaders Ealing Trailfinders at the summit with a game in hand on both.

The visitors were overwhelming favourites going into the clash with the league’s bottom side, who are yet to win this season, and Daly came close to opening the scoring but his chip ahead landed kindly for the hosts to clear.

Hooker Andy Christie did break the deadlock shortly afterwards, Farrell adding the extras, and Alex Lewington finished off a fine team move to stretch the lead.

Dom Morris’ converted score made it 21-0 at the break and it remained one-way traffic in the second half, a penalty try sealing the bonus point before Lewington crossed for his second.

Tom Whiteley, Eroni Mawi and Harry Sloan completed the rout, with Farrell continuing his flawless afternoon off the tee by converting each of them to wrap up a convincing win.

McCall has been full of praise for the way his international contingent have adapted to life in the second tier since returning from Six Nations duty and, reflecting on Saturday’s win, told The Rugby Paper: “We were a bit scrappy in the first half but a lot better in the second.

“The players enjoyed that half.”

Sarries now have a two-week break before hosting Ampthill on May 15 – by which time their international contingent will hope to have a trip to South Africa in the diary.