Mark McCall questions timing of England's fourth autumn international fixture

Saracens rugby director Mark McCall has slammed the schedule of England's final autumn international fixture for not allowing players enough rest before the European tournament season resumed.

England's fourth and final autumn international game ended on 3rd December - a week later France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales completed their November Test season.

Immediately, on completion of their international duty, England players headed directly into their respective European competitions not allowing proper rest in between as compared to their rivals who were rested for a week.

Return of George Kruis, Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Owen Farrell helped Saracens register a 50-3 victory over Sale Sharks in the European Champions Cup encounter on Saturday and McCall could not hide his frustration despite a resounding win.

"For me it's ludicrous that the fourth international shouldn't be at the start of the window rather than the end. It's not fair on the Premiership clubs," McCall said.

"You're asking players to go again in the Champions Cup the weekend after they've played Australia.

"Ireland, Scotland and Wales were able to rest some of their players and you've maybe seen that in some of the other results this weekend - the wins by Munster and Leinster for example.

"We're incredibly fortunate that we've got the players to whom it means a lot to play for Saracens. They were magnificent, all of them.

"But I still don't think it's right that you continuously have to ask them to back up. In the long run, there shouldn't be a fourth international before a European match."

Kruis also credited Saracens management for understanding the players' workload and believes the players have obligations to fulfill their club duties as early as possible.

"I'd say we get a lot of energy from coming back and looking at how hard the boys have worked.," Kruis said.

"They're putting big shifts in, when you lose a few players and you've got some injuries as well. When we come back, we've got to repay that favour.

"We were smart in how we dealt with training this week. We cut the week a bit shorter.

"But you do reach some emotional highs playing in these big games. The coaching team understand that and gave us an extra day off as well."