Two sons of 2003 Rugby World Cup winner will start together for Saracens this weekend

This is the first non-friendly fixture to feature both Bracken brothers in the Saracens starting XV. Saracens bring a youthful squad with an average age of 24 to the East Midlands, highlighted by the Bracken brothers in the back-line. Charlie Bracken (21) starts at scrum-half alongside fly half Louie Johnson, with Jack Bracken (19) on the wing.

Charlie, the eldest son, is a Saracens academy product having joined aged 14 and progressing through England U18s and U20s. Bracken made his senior debut for Saracens in the Premiership Rugby Cup against Wasps in March 2022, before also enjoying loan spells with Ampthill in the Championship. Charlie earned his first call-up to the senior England training squad this past Summer, with plenty of excitiement for the Sarries halfback.

Jack followed his brother into the Saracens system, starting in their academy and playing through England’s age-group sides. He represented England U18, and was part of the England U20 squad that won the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa, scoring a hat-trick on debut vs Argentina. Jack is versatile in the backs, having shifted from scrum-half early on to the wing and full-back. Jack has also featured on loan with Ampthill and in Premiership Rugby Cup matches for Mark McCall's Saracens.

The Saracens pack includes Rhys Carre, James Hadfield, and Marco Riccioni up front, while Charlie West, Nathan Michelow, and Olamide Sodeke complete a dynamic back row. Experienced England wing Max Malins returns at full-back for the Londoners, with the bench combining promising young talent with experienced Sarries veterans.

Leicester Tigers open their 2025/26 campaign at Welford Road with a youthful and exciting squad, including four players making their club debuts. Orlando Bailey, Jamie Blamire, Gabriel Hamer-Webb, and James Thompson all start for the Tigers, while Joaquin Moro, Harry Palmer, and Charlie Titcombe are all on the bench in line for first appearances. Hanro Liebenberg leads the side at blindside flanker, combining leadership with a high-tempo back row alongside Emeka Ilione and Olly Cracknell.

In the backs, Tom Whiteley and Bailey direct play from half-back, with Joseph Woodward and Hamer-Webb forming midfield partners. The back three of Ollie Hassell-Collins, Adam Radwan, and Izaia Perese offers speed and finishing power, with replacements adding depth including Ale Loman on loan from Nottingham.

Leicester Tigers Starting XV:
15 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Izaia Perese, 12 Joseph Woodward, 11 Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 10 Orlando Bailey, 9 Tom Whiteley, 1 Archie van der Flier, 2 Jamie Blamire, 3 Will Hurd, 4 Tom Manz, 5 James Thompson, 6 Hanro Liebenberg (c), 7 Emeka Ilione, 8 Olly Cracknell

Leicester Tigers Replacements:
16 Finn Theobald-Thomas, 17 Tubuna Maka, 18 Ale Loman, 19 Harry Palmer, 20 Joaquin Moro, 21 Ollie Allan, 22 Charlie Titcombe, 23 Will Wand

Saracens Starting XV:
15 Max Malins, 14 Jack Bracken, 13 Nick Tompkins (c), 12 Cameron Hutchison, 11 Noah Caluori, 10 Louie Johnson, 9 Charlie Bracken, 1 Rhys Carre, 2 James Hadfield, 3 Marco Riccioni, 4 Harry Wilson, 5 Hugh Tizard, 6 Olamide Sodeke, 7 Charlie West, 8 Nathan Michelow

Saracens Replacements:
16 Eoghan Clarke, 17 Tietie Tuimauga, 18 Marcus Street, 19 Kennedy Sylvester, 20 Reggie Hammick, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Brandon Jackson, 23 Rotimi Segun

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