Flanker Richard Hill, prop Kevin Yates and second row Kris Chesney all return to the starting line-up while Francisco Leonelli comes in at full-back for his first game since suffering a calf injury before the league win at Leeds at the end of September.
Italy hooker Fabio Ongaro is named on the bench alongside Gordon Ross and Moses Rauluni which means skipper Neil de Kock and Glen Jackson resume their productive half-back partnership.
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"We faced some tough selection choices this week and there are a number of guys who have not made the squad," said Gaffney. "We gave an opportunity to some of them in the past two matches and everyone performed well and put their hands up for selection. But what we've done for this weekend is pick the team we think can get the result we want."
He added: "It's exciting to be back in the Heineken Cup - both I and the players are looking forward to it. It's been a number of years since I've been involved in the competition and it continues to get bigger and better. It's a great tournament and I know the players are looking forward to laying down a marker against the best teams in Europe."
Saracens: Leonelli, Penney, Sorrell, Farrell, Ratuvou, Jackson, de Kock; Yates, Cairns, Johnston, Vyvyan, Chesney, Gustard, Hill, Skirving. Replacements: Ongaro, Mercey, Ryder, Seymour, Rauluni, Ross, Thrower.