The full Saracens squad will travel to Cape Town on Sunday for a week of warm weather training in advance of their European Cup match against Biarritz, at Vicarage Road next Sunday, January 15.

Sarries were originally schedule to play the match at the Cape Town Stadium, but petty politics by a group of Western Province Rugby Union officials saw the game moved back to England.

Now the English champions will have to settle for some training sessions in Cape Town.

The Saracens Storm team will also play a match against the University of Stellenbosch next Wednesday, January 11.

Mark McCall, Director of Rugby, said: "We are in the midst of a long and demanding season, and the prospect of spending a week in the sun is a massive energy-giver for everybody at the club.

"We are looking forward to the game against Maties, and to a week of careful preparation before the match against Biarritz."

Following Sunday's Premiership clash against Bath at Vicarage Road, the squad will travel directly to Heathrow and fly overnight to Cape Town.

On Monday, the squad will travel to the township of Kayamandi, outside Stellenbosch, where they will attend the opening of the 'Saracens Field of Dreams', a newly laid artificial turf area jointly funded by the club's players and directors.

The opening ceremony will take place at 16.00 (local time).

On Tuesday the squad will train in Cape Town and on Wednesday will participate in the opening of the new Stellenbosch Academy of Sport and, at 16.30, the Saracens Storm will play Maties.

On Thursday and Friday, the squad will continue their preparations for the Heineken Cup clash against Biarritz by training at the Cape Town Stadium, while Friday morning also sees Saracens hosting a formal breakfast at the Cullinan Hotel, for Cape Town sports and business leaders.

The squad will return to London on Friday night, resting on Saturday, to be ready to play Biarritz on the Sunday.