Schalk Brits ends his retirement and targets 2019 World Cup with Springboks

Schalk Brits has ended his self-imposed retirement from rugby after being convinced by South African coach Rassie Erasmus that he can win a place in the Springboks squad for the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Brits and Erasmus have been in close contact since the former Saracens hooker returned for the Springboks in the final Read More …

Billy Vunipola gets timely advice from Renaldo Bothma after arm surgery

Billy Vunipola has undergone surgery to repair the arm he broke for a second time in England’s losing test series with South Africa and now faces another long period of rehabilitation. It is understood Vunipola had a plate inserted in the arm last week after breaking it in the same place in the second test Read More …

No happy return to Saracens for favourite son Brits says Wray

Owner Nigel Wray today made it clear Schalk Brits will not be returning to Saracens for another season despite the hooker’s expected inclusion the South African match squad against England in Cape Town on Saturday, a month after ending his 10 year career at the Premiership champions. The 37-year-old, 10-times capped Springbok hooker, enjoyed a Read More …

Goode still not good enough for Eddie Jones and England

Alex Goode looks certain to miss out on England’s summer three test tour of South Africa despite proving he remains one of the most dangerous attacking forces in the Aviva Premiership. Head coach Eddie Jones has still not contacted Goode, who was in scintillating form again for Saracens as they destroyed Gloucester 62-12 to earn Read More …

Billy Vunipola back after broken arm to boost England and Saracens

Billy Vunipola is back in the Saracens match squad after nearly four months out with a broken arm for the clash with London Irish on Sunday. With Wasps No8 Nathan Hughes already ruled out of the three test England tour to South Africa in June, the return of Vunipola is great news for England and Read More …

Nigel Wray insists Saracens are not for sale and is seeking new investors

Nigel Wray today insisted Saracens are not for sale, but confirmed he is looking to attract new investors willing to pump £30m into the Premiership club following Johan Rupert’s decision to quit English rugby. Rupert jointly owned Sarries through his South African based Remgro company and paid £10m to help Wray fund the £20m East Read More …

Eddie Jones warns Scotland that Owen Farrell is “fitter and faster” than ever

Eddie Jones issued a stark warning to Scotland today, insisting that Owen Farrell has fully recovered from his leg injury and is now “ fitter and faster” than he has ever been heading into the Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield. Farrell picked up his injury in the win over Wales and has been given his Read More …

Gavin Hastings wants Russell to follow Farrell’s lead

Gavin Hastings wants Finn Russell to take inspiration from Owen Farrell to eradicate the “woefully bad” performances that will make him a major target for England in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield. Russell is a mercurial talent but poor showings in the defeat by Wales and 32-26 win over France have raised serious questions Read More …

Mako Vunipola has all the skills to become World class says Eddie Jones

Mako Vunipola will have a key role to play in England’s bid for an historic third successive Six Nations title with head coach Eddie Jones predicting the Saracens prop is set to become one of the best players in the game. Given that Jones is famously tough on his players, that is rare praise, particularly Read More …

Saracens battling against fates and injury problems

Saracens bid to match Toulon by winning the European Champions Cup three times in a row is hanging by a thread with the holders knowing a bonus point win over Northampton in their final pool match at home tomorrow may not be enough to save them from an embarrassing early exit. While failing to get Read More …