“We're starting to show the potential that we knew we had.”

Claudia Moloney-MacDonald is back in the starting line-up for tomorrow night’s game and is eager to get going after missing four of the last PWR games.

However, having successfully returned from two serious neck injuries, a wrist fracture was easily overcome in comparison with a little patience and a dose of sunshine in Australia while visiting family with wife and teammate Cliodhna.

She said: “Just a little pin put in my wrist. I managed to fracture my scaphoid. Just another stupid injury to add to the list! I was able to really use that Christmas break so that was pretty handy really.

“Vitamin D is good for recovery, isn't it? Me and Cli have both got family over there, so we were able to see Cli's sister and my brother. It was amazing. It's a beautiful part of the world, especially when it's cold and wet over here.”

The winger was still able to train with the Exeter Chiefs Women when they returned from their extended, league-wide Christmas break and was in the stands watching their games…and she enjoyed what she saw.

“I think we're starting to show the potential that we knew we had. I think we're moving the ball really well. Our defence has been formidable. I mean, the last 15 minutes against Harlequins, holding them out for nearly all of it, to go and draw the game was enormous.

“The work ethic and the determination have always been there, but I think now you're seeing that combined with some real fluidity and some consciousness of knowing where everyone's going to be, because I think we're a little bit more joined up together as a squad now.”

They will need all their unity when they take on Saracens. They sit second in the league with Chiefs behind them in third place. Saracens are the leading try scorers this season and have only lost one game to the current leaders, Gloucester Hartpury.

Chiefs have won five games, drawn three and lost two…to the top two teams in the PWR. They have yet to win a game at the StoneX Stadium too.

Moloney-MacDonald added: “We’re trying not to focus too much on that; we’re just building on what we're capable of doing. Last week was a real good demonstration of our ability to move the ball to the widths. I think we played a more expansive game than perhaps we've played in previous weeks, so hopefully we're going to build on that, keep challenging them in the wide channels, and working on our own ball retention.

“We know Saracens are formidable over a breakdown. They've got some brilliant jackalers across the board really in their backs and their forwards. So, it's going to be really big about being really supportive of each other, looking after each other in the breakdowns, playing in the right areas of the pitch, trying not to give any penalties away for Zoe Harrison to ping over for three points like she did at the end of the game against Bears.”

To try to keep Saracens on their toes, Moloney-MacDonald will line up in a new-look back three featuring Sabrina Poulin and Francesca Granzotto.

“I love playing with them. We've got some amazing, like really talented back three players at Chiefs. Sab and I have played together a little bit, so I'm excited to be back out on the pitch with her. I love the way she plays and her style. Francesca was someone that when Steve mentioned that she was coming to the club, I was really excited about her. I thought she was brilliant in last year's Six Nations. I think she's been brilliant for us since she's come over. So yeah, really excited to get stuck into a game alongside both of them.”

With the Women’s Six Nations coming up in April, and fellow winger Abby Dow now retired, Moloney-MacDonald has a wary eye on her international future

“We'll have to wait and see. I am always hopeful that my performances will be at a place which I'm proud of. I think that's key. I think if I can play to the standard that I know I'm capable of, then I can be happy with myself. I'm proud of how I've come back and hopefully that'll be enough for England. But yeah, focusing, at the moment, on this game this weekend.”

Tomorrow night’s game is being broadcast live on BBC iPlayer and there will be live match updates from the match centre on Chiefs’ website.