Saracens’ director of rugby Mark McCall is confident his current squad can maintain the club’s momentum at the top of the table, despite the absence of key international stars due to the Six Nations.

Sarries host Wasps at 4pm on Sunday – two hours after England’s clash against Italy in Rome – and McCall admits the tournament is a factor in his team’s chances of another Premiership victory.

“It doesn’t get any easier as we have Wasps next and they have less players away to international calls than we do, but I have confidence in this group of players for the next few weeks,” he said.

Saracens moved five points clear at the top of the Premiership after winning 14-11 away against second-placed Exeter Chiefs on Sunday.

The north London outfit had fought back from 13-0 down to beat Bath in their previous outing, and history repeated itself at Exeter as they came from 11-0 down to score 14 unanswered points.

Samuela Vunisa scored a vital try and three penalties from Charlie Hodgson completed the turnaround as Saracens secured their 10th win from 11 league games this season.

“If we had lost that one, I would have said it was one that got away as we had much the better of possession and territory, but they defended very well,” said McCall.

“We were 11-0 down playing against the strong wind but we didn’t deserve to be and Vunisa’s try just before the interval was crucial as we went into half-time only six points down.”