Owen Farrell’s England place is not under threat from the fast-emerging Marcus Smith, and the international careers of the Vunipola brothers and Jamie George are also far from over, according to their longtime coaching mentor at Saracens. Mark McCall, the Saracens director of rugby, believes his star men are as hungry as ever to play at the highest level, despite an unusual summer in which Farrell was left out of the final Lions Test and Mako and Billy Vunipola, George and Ben Earl were omitted from this week’s national squad camp. In particular, McCall insists Smith’s continuing rise up the No 10 pecking order does not mean Farrell’s days as an England starter are numbered. “I don’t think we necessarily see that as a rivalry,” said McCall, arguing that Eddie Jones has always preferred to pick Farrell at inside centre. “In the 60-odd games that Eddie has been England’s head coach, Owen has played 16 times at 10. He’s played at inside centre most of the time so I’m not sure that’s Owen’s competition, to be honest.” With several of Saracens’ big-name players due back ahead of schedule following what McCall described as a “sensible conversation” between club and country about individual player workload, it is also the latter’s belief the next England squad could see the return of some familiar names. “I think Eddie knows the quality of those players,” said McCall. “He’s worked with them for a long time and if he sees what he hopes to see – the hunger and the drive which is necessary to play at that level – then hopefully they’ll have the opportunity to get back into the squad. For some of our players it was disappointing but knowing those players and how committed they are to playing for England, I am sure Eddie will see a response.” The only Lions tourists not poised to feature for Sarries in the next fortnight are Maro Itoje, who played every minute of the Lions’ Test series, and the injured Elliot Daly who will be sidelined until late November at least.