Saracens fly-half Manu Vunipola revealed his pride in getting the opportunity to lead his side out against rivals Harlequins in the Premiership Rugby Cup on Wednesday evening.

Sarries are coming off a narrow 41-39 win against Gloucester Rugby last weekend which featured a late surge from the Men in Black to snatch the points in London and maintain their flawless start. 

Vunipola, 22, in his fourth campaign with Sarries, reckons the cup will give his side a chance to build momentum in the early stages of the series. 

"The start of the Cup campaign is a massively exciting time for us to get some minutes,” he said. “But also, a great opportunity to play for this club.

“It’s always an honour to captain the boys and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in with them. Last year didn’t really go how we wanted it to so hopefully we can start well and get a good performance away to Quins."

Last season’s Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final runners-up will field a side with a mix of youth and experience in the opening game of their cup campaign at Twickenham Stoop.

James Flynn, Alex Wardell and Tobias Elliott are all in line to get their first taste of action in a Saracens shirt.

Flynn joins Ethan Lewis and Alec Clarey in the front row, with Wardell partnering Obinna Nkwocha in the second row. Theo Dan, Toby Knight and Ollie Stonham make up a sprite back row.

Sam Bryan gets the nod at number nine with Vunipola at ten, and the midfield pairing of Josh Hallett and Brandon Jackson will be eager to capitalise on any front-foot ball.

Ben Harris will feature on the left wing, with Francis Moore on the right and Elliott taking control at 15.

There are three more debuts on the bench, as Nathan Michelow, Jenson McInulty and Charlie Reynolds-West could make their first appearances for the club.

Despite the inclusion of several new faces, Sarries will be keen to inflict an early season double over their neighbours having prevailed 30-27 in a tight affair in Round 1 of the Gallagher Premiership. 

Elliot Daly proved the matchwinner on that occasion, with a 66th-minute penalty which broke the 27-all deadlock heading into the game's final moments.