Stuart Lancaster’s England set up took its first major blow this week with the news that Andy Farrell will remain as a Saracens coach rather than take a full time role with the National side. Farrell was a key part of the England set up at the Six Nations but has also seen his Saracens side climb to second in the league and build a strong reputation in their Heineken Cup campaign.
Farrell has declared his desire to “finish the job” at Saracens. Having taken over last summer, Farrell has been a huge success at Sarries, guiding them to a strong position in the league and looking good for a home semi final in the end of season play offs.
His decision to choose club over country is a blow for England, Lancaster and new RFU chief Ian Ritchie. Along with Lancaster and forwards coach Graham Rowntree, Farrell played a significant role in England’s recent successes. He now leaves England without a coach with only 6 weeks to go until their summer tour of South Africa.
To counter England’s misery the news will come as a huge boost for Sarries who despite defeat to Clermont in the Heineken Cup last weekend are progressing into one of European Rugby’s major forces. And with the increased wage cap from next season the gulf with France will be closed and there will be a real chance for English sides to compete in the transfer market for the best players.
Farrell has described his time at Sarries as “a special privilege” and has praised his side for the “decent progress” made. He is though adamant that the job is not complete and they have only “scratched the surface of our potential”. He and son Owen have played huge roles for both club and country this season and their impact at Saracens will no doubt be felt for years to come.
Haydn Smith, the lock for the Aviva Premiership champions the Saracens will be heading for the United States of America to play for the New York Jets in the National Football League or the NFL, therefore, realizing a childhood dream. The 26 year old has landed a rookie contract with the Jets of the NFL, becoming the first ever professional rugby player to make the transition to American Football after being plucked from virtual obscurity during a trail period of two weeks with the Jets.
The 26 year old Smith has already signed a three year contract with the New York Jets that is reported to be worth around $ 355,000 per year which translates to around £ 223,400 every year for the three years. According to Mark McCall, the Director of Rugby for Saracens, when Smith came to him to ask for permission to go on the trial, he very nonchalantly allowed him to go thinking that it would be impossible for him or anyone else for that matter to crack the trails and he also added that he was more than surprised when he returned after two weeks with three offers on the table for him.
Haydn Smith was born in Australia but also played college basketball in the United States of America and on the trail; it was his speed and agility that clinched the deal for him, according to the sources close to the NFL side. According to the website of the New York Jets, Smith will be playing in the offence for them in the tight end and his fitness has been a major factor in him landing the role.
It has also been reported that the Saracens will not ask for any kind of compensation package for the player and will release him on free.
The Saracens is a professional rugby union club based in St Albans, England. They have played most of their matches at Vicarage Road in Watford. Formerly known as the Saracens Football Club, the Saracens Rugby Club is members of the Aviva Premiership that are a top level rugby union in England.
The Saracens Rugby Club has produced quite a number of international players in the pre league era. To name some legends, John Steeds from 1949-1950 won five caps for England. Another name includes that of Vic Harding who was a lock for England for one year from 1961-62 and George Sheriff, an English back rower during 1966-67.
During the 2010-2011 seasons, The Saracens Rugby Club had a major off field development. A break clause had been activated by the landlord of the Saracens Rugby Club, which meant that the Saracens Rugby Club needed a new home for the 2011-2012 seasons. On November 10, 2010, the Saracens rugby club announced that it had decided to shift to the athletic stadium at the Barnat Copthall complex. The deal was that they would redevelop the stadium with modern facilities which included three thousand permanent seats and also demountable stands which would allow a rugby capacity of 10000 and also have the first artificial pitch in English Rugby. The Saracens are currently standing second in the English Premiership table with 18 points.
The current squad of the Saracens Rugby Club consists of forty six players with some players like Harry Allen, Rhys Gill, Hayden Smith and a few others. The Saracen Rugby Club has twenty internationally capped players with a few names being Steve Borth wick, Kelly Brown, Carlo Nieto, Chris Wyles. The captain of the team is Steve Borth wick and the coach is Mark Mc Call.
Tags: 2011, AMICAL, CHAMPION, ENGLISH, LIVE, Match, MAYOL, Rugby, Saracens, team, TOULON, Training
Saracens Rugby | admin | 
March 14, 2012 9:29 am | 
Comments (1)