Having already spent a very good week, the players of Saracens FC are looking forward to their Heineken European Cup match against French side Biarritz, knowing that a win against them would secure a place for them in the eight team play-offs with a game in hand.

In turn this would mean that chief coach Mark McCall will be able to field a weakened side and rest the seniors for their next game.

The thought of Charlie Hodgson in an England jersey is not a new one. But every time the Sarries fly half was given the chance during his time at Sale, he seemingly choked on the big stage.

This season he has, along with the rest of his Saracens team mates, impressed regularly. Saracens sit second in the league and are closing the gap of Harlequins each week.

Another fine display from Owen Farrell was enough for Saracens to bounce back from the disappointment of successive defeats against Biarritz and Northampton. Reigning league champions, Sarries were outclassed all over the field as they were blitzed by Northampton last weekend but bounced back to grind out a hard earned victory over Irish on Sunday.

The game lacked the flair and free flowing style that saw Saracens dominate last season, but it was enough for them to get back to winning ways and continue the push to keep up with early pace setters Harlequins.

Saracens rugby union have signed former Bath winger Joe Maddock. The 32-year-old New Zealander left the Rec in May 2010 and joined Magners League side Benetton Treviso.

"I am delighted to be returning to England, and to be joining the champions," he told the club website.

"Anybody can see there is a real determination to build a happy, successful and special club, on and off the field."

Mark McCall has said that Saracens rugby union are going places with their recent successes. "We have a brilliant squad of players and a brilliant guiding system above them," McCall said after the thrilling 22-18 victory at Twickenham.

"We hope today is the start of something, not the end of something.

"We're a club that's growing and had we conceded a try in the last minute we would still have been going places."

Sarries very nearly did lose to Tigers in agonising circumstances for a second consecutive season.

Saracens chief executive Edward Griffiths has said that he is quite confident of its plan to renovate Copthall Stadium.

Sarries submitted their planning application to Barnet Council on Friday amid concerns from some residents over traffic and noise pollution.

"I think the overall reaction is excitement," Griffiths told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"What we're proposing is something unique in English sport."

Winger Chris Wyles has said that Saracens are now showing their attacking side to the game.The Unites States international scored three of Sarries' eight tries in a win that could not prevent them from going out of the LV= Cup.

"We want to score tries. Sometimes we're criticised for not scoring enough tries and too much kicking," the 27-year-old Chris Wyles told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"We are about attack, keeping the ball, running straight and we did that."

Centre Rodd Penney has returned to Saracens from Aironi. The 32-year-old quit Vicarage Road in September to pursue first-team rugby but is now back at the club he joined from London Irish in 2006.

Penney, who featured 93 times in his first Sarries spell, is available for Saturday's LV= Cup clash against Llanelli Scarlets.

"We're delighted to have Rodd back with us," said Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall.

Owen Farrell was one among the six Saracens player to get new deals. Hooker Jamie George, lock George Kruis, flanker Jackson Wray, scrum-half Luke Baldwin and winger James Short have also signed new deals.

Farrell, 19, will face competition for the number 10 shirt from Charlie Hodgson when he signs in the summer.

"There is no doubt we have a really special group of youngsters," said director of rugby Mark McCall.

Gavin Henson has said that he is hoping for welsh return after impressing for Saracens. Henson made his comeback as a second-half replacement at outside centre, having spent 21 months out of the game.

"The reason I got back into rugby was to play for my country," said Henson. "I would love to do it in the Six Nations but time is running out."

Wales face England on 4 February, with Warren Gatland naming his squad after the Heineken Cup games in mid-January.