A recurring theme coming out of the Gallagher Premiership is the benefits of the Premiership Rugby Cup in affording fringe players additional minutes.

It will come as little surprise then that the reigning league champions Saracens are also conscious of the opportunity to blood up-and-coming talent, starting against Leicester Tigers.

Among those looking to make their mark and earn favour with the senior side include former England Under-20 prop Hayden Thompson-Stringer.

The 23-year-old has featured for Saracens Storm in the Premiership Rugby Shield and the forward knows that making an impact in cup competition can help stake a claim for regular league inclusion.

He told the official Saracens website: “We come in week-in, week-out trying to push ourselves as we know there will be opportunities throughout the season.

“It’s about us being ready as a non-playing squad when that opportunity comes and the boys are champing at the bit and raring to go.

“The Shield has gone really well and those games have been really good for us; it’s good for us to get an opportunity this weekend after training hard and playing well for Storm.”

Saracens will look to heed head coach Mark McCall’s warnings when they put their 100 per cent start on the line against Leicester in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

The Sarries boss was far from happy with his side’s performance against Lyon in the Heineken Champions Cup last time out, despite making it seven wins from seven in all competitions to begin the season.

Leicester, meanwhile, head to Allianz Park looking to build off last week’s encouraging 45-27 victory over Scarlets in the European Champions Cup.

“The Premiership Rugby Cup games are a chance for young guys to prove themselves and this could push the players on to another level they didn’t even know they could go, and then they’re getting picked in first-team games,” added Thompson-Stringer.

“These games are always good for younger lads and I still think it’s a good opportunity for myself.”

By Matt Ford