Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has said that his returning English players were "magnificent" in the champions 12-6 win at Northampton Saints.

In a game of no tries at Franklin's Gardens, 12 points from the boot of Owen Farrell saw the visitors take victory.

However, McCall has admitted that the game against Saints was not the best in terms of quality, despite the calibre of players on both sides.

He told reporters: "I thought all of our English players were magnificent today. Our young second rows were exceptional - George Kruis and Maro Itoje were truly brilliant and led the charge physically in the second half.

"We want to play, but sometimes you get games like today, where the ball is incredibly slow and slippy and you have to grind it out.

"It probably wasn't the best advert for the Premiership but that is the way the game went and our job was to make sure we won."

Sarries are now two points clear of Exeter Chiefs at the top of the table.