Saracens
Fri, 09 May 2008 10:17
Club Details
Vicarage Road Stadium
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 OEP
Stadium Capacity: 22,000 (all seated)
Website: www.saracens.com
Founded: 1876
- 2007/8 Season Preview -
Last time around: The Premiership's biggest under-achievers ended 2006/7 in a respectable fourth position - their best finish for seven years. It was the first time the 'Fez Heads' had reached the play-off stages and much of the credit must go to Director of Rugby Alan Gaffney. A catalyst to their upturn in form was also the half-back partnership of Glen Jackson and Neil de Kock, sparking many an attack with Ben Skirving also impressing from loose forward.
This time? Gaffney will have a helping hand this season from the returning Eddie Jones - once he completes his World Cup tenure with South Africa. And with the foundations built, the finishing touches of new signings Chris Jack and Brent Russell are sure to improve the Watford-based side. Biarritz, Glasgow and Viadana stand in the way of Heineken Cup progression, but overall the future looks extremely rosy at Vicarage Road.
Coach: Saracens must be thankful for Alan Gaffney's direction and organisation. The Australian enjoyed a lengthy spell in Ireland leading province Leinster to the Celtic League title in 2001/02 and also the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup in the same season. After two years with Leinster, he moved to Munster and oversaw one of the most successful periods in their history. In his three seasons with the province, they won the Celtic League, Celtic Cup and were twice semi-finalists in the Heineken Cup. In 2005, former Australia coach Eddie Jones employed Gaffney as backs coach to the Wallabies. The departure of Jones in the same year saw Gaffney leave his post but the duo were briefly reunited when Jones was with Saracens as a consultant at the end of the 2005/06 season. He took complete control of team affairs at the start of the 2006/07 campaign, but will once again work with Jones from November this year.
Captain: Alan Gaffney believed that one candidate stood head and shoulders above the rest in the race to lead Saracens. Scrum-half Neil de Kock was the man he was talking about. The South African nine led the forwards perfectly last season and his combination with Jackson was arguably the best in the league.
One to watch: Saracens will be hoping to take another step forward following last season's marked improvement. And the addition of Brent Russell may be the game-breaker that they have been lacking. The 'Pocket Rocket' as he known, can pierce defences with his electric pace and his back-three work with Dan Scarbrough and Kameli Ratuvou whets the appetite!
Final 2006/7 league position prediction: 4th
skybet.com prediction (04/9): 7-1 to finish first
In: Chris Jack (Canterbury Crusaders), Brent Russell (Western Province), Matias Aguero (Viadana), Guthrie Hall (Natal Sharks), Francisco Leonelli (Glasgow Warriors), Sakiusa Matadigo (Nantes), Edd Thrower (Wasps).
Out: Shane Byrne (Released), Ben Russell (Racing Metro), Tevita Vaikona (Racing Metro), Tomas De Vedia (London Irish), Thomas Castaignede (Retired), Simon Raiwalui (Racing Metro).
Colours: Black and red
Tickets: £6-25
Travel connections: Saracens lies in a tricky and traffic-ridden area of London that is probably best served by rail links from London city. Either the Metropolitan underground line or the North London railways local trains stop at Watford Junction station, from which Vicarage Road is a 15-20 minute walk.
