England suffered another major injury blow when Newcastle's Jamie Noon limped out of his side's Zurich Premiership defeat at Saracens.

The inside centre had been pencilled in for a first RBS 6 Nations start for England against Wales in Cardiff on February 5.

He began well enough with some thumping challenges before going down clutching his left leg after being hurt in a heavy tackle in the 28th minute.

Noon received extensive treatment, but after limping through the next 10 minutes the 25-year-old left the field in tears.

The news further reduces Andy Robinson's options after a string of injuries that leave England desperately short of midfield experience.

Jonny Wilkinson, Will Greenwood, Mike Tindall and Stuart Abbott are all out of action, making Olly Barkley and Mathew Tait the likely centre pairing and almost the last two men left standing.

Noon's injury overshadowed a passionate performance by Saracens, whose form has been transformed under new coach Steve Diamond.

Taine Randell, Kris Chesney, Hugh Vyvyan and Ben T Russell scored the tries before Ollie Phillips grabbed a late consolation and Saracens - in relegation danger three months ago - have now been beaten only twice in their last nine outings.

Newcastle have won only once at Vicarage Road - back in December 2001 - and struggled as a pumped-up Saracens pack, led by another England hopeful in number eight Vyvyan, penned them back for long spells.

Saracens had paid the ultimate price for fly-half Glen Jackson's goal-kicking form when they were dumped out of the Powergen Cup against London Irish.

But he drilled over his first two shots at goal in the first 20 minutes - Australian Matt Burke replying on a rare sortie out of the Newcastle half - and then provided the assists for two tries.

A series of assaults on the line saw Vyvyan stopped short before Jackson handed off for Randell to slide over on the right.

And Jackson was the provider again as lock Chesney set off on a barnstorming 30- metre charge, pausing only to flatten Burke as he forced his way over the line.

The fly-half's conversion put Saracens in the clear even though Burke kicked a second penalty just before Ashley Rowden's half-time whistle.

Saracens picked up where they left off in the second half with Vyvyan crossing on the left after Newcastle were pulled apart in the 52nd minute.

Jackson converted from the touchline and his replacement Nicky Little took over the kicking duties four minutes from time after replacement flanker Russell surged over under the posts to claim the bonus point.

Phillips touched down for Newcastle deep in injury time with Tom May adding a straightforward conversion.