Saracens and England have been handed a huge boost with the news that Maro Itoje’s shoulder injury is not serious.

The talismanic second row made his first appearance for Saracens since the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, where he was named player of the series, last weekend in the thumping 71-17 win over Bath at The Rec.

After ten weeks of enforced rest, Itoje started the game and scored the first of ten tries before trudging off the field clutching his shoulder 47 minutes into the one-sided contest.

However, Saracens’ director of rugby Mark McCall confirmed the England superstar will be fit to play against Wasps at StoneX Stadium on Sunday.

“He is fine. It’s a very minor shoulder injury and it is not a problem,” said McCall.

“He will play this weekend. He was good (against Bath).

“It is always difficult when you haven’t played in a while and it is your first game of the season but as first games of the season go, I thought he was good.”

McCall had said after the game he would be “amazed” if the Saracens trio of Jamie George, Mako Vunipola and Billy Vunipola were not recalled by England after helping to steamroll Stuart Hooper’s side.

But Eddie Jones again initially omitted all three 50-cappers before George earned a reprieve after Exeter Chiefs hooker Luke Cowan Dickie was ruled out with an ankle injury.

McCall added: “We’re obviously disappointed for Mako and Billy that they haven’t made the squad. 

“There is one thing not making the squad and another the way they are playing. If they weren’t in good form that might be different, but they are playing really well, and they have still got the bit between their teeth. 

“There is hope for them that they can make their way back into the England squad and they are going to try and do that, try and get back for the Six Nations, so we will see. 

“They have got to continue their good form. That is the way we see it.

“Eddie spoke to them both on Monday prior to the squad being announced. Those conversations are obviously private but they are very aware of what he wants. What I think is not really important. “Eddie has been clear with them on what he wants. The boys know that there is the opportunity, a window back into the squad if they continue to play the way they are playing and that is what they intend to do. 

“They are unbelievably competitive rugby players. They have proven that for a long time, not only at the highest club level but also at international level as well.

“Anybody who saw their performance on the weekend, and in Billy’s case, maybe the weekends before that know that Billy is near the best he is playing. That is really encouraging.”

On George’s reprieve, McCall said: ““With Jamie, it is good that he is back in there.

“Eddie and him have had some constructive conversations, to be honest. When you look at the squad people would realise that Jamie was still in the top two hookers in the country and potentially Eddie was looking to see some younger players and that kind of thing.

“But now with Luke Cowan-Dickie out, it’s no surprise that Jamie would be the first he would turn to in that situation. 

“Jamie is playing really well, played well on Sunday, and he is delighted to be back in the squad. He is a very experienced player and is delighted he is now in the squad and is going to be there for the whole campaign.”