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EXCLUSIVE: 'It's his decision' - Mark McCall admits Saracens may not re-sign Will Skelton
Mark McCall has revealed Saracens want Wallaby lock Will Skelton to sign a new contract that would continue his self-imposed international exile.
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Skelton’s current deal with Saracens ends in May and returning to Australia to bid for a place in the squad for next year’s World Cup in Japan has become a real option following his dramatic loss of weight and improved fitness.
As RugbyPass detailed recently, Skelton has lost 2st thanks to the help of a nutritionist and a special App which keeps tabs on his calorie intake. This works alongside the Saracens training regime that has made Skelton, who is 6ft 8ins and 21st, into a World class ball carrying force. Last season he was hampered by injuries but still collected a Premiership winner’s medal and his current form this has raised his profile back in Australia where Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika is in need of help.
That could come in the formidable shape of the 18-cap former Waratahs forward whose powerhouse rugby will be needed by Saracens as they attempt to win another Heineken Champions Cup and Premiership double this season.
McCall has been impressed with Skelton’s commitment to the cause and told RugbyPass: “We have started talking to Will and we would like him to stay at Saracens but it is going to be his decision. He has enjoyed his time with us and believes it has been good for his game and we will continue the conversations with him.
“You can understand why the Australian Rugby Union would want him back but if he likes his life as it is at the moment and doesn’t feel that international rugby is for him, then he could stay.”
The Saracens director of rugby made it clear the club could not carry four locks who are involved in test rugby at the same time as it would leave the squad short of key forwards during important periods of a hectic English season. Skelton’s decision to turn his back on Wallaby rugby and move to England convinced Saracens to sign the 26-year-old and his continued test exile is important to the English champions.
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McCall explained: “With George(Kruis), Maro(Itoje) and Nick (Isiekwe) involved with England then for our other second row to also be playing international rugby, we wouldn’t have any locks to play on a Saturday for us. Given the absences of players in that area of the squad, we need to employ someone who is not playing international rugby.”
Two times winners Saracens launch their Heineken Cup challenge at Glasgow Warriors on October 14 and are in Pool 3 with Lyon and Cardiff Blues. Having only just made it into the quarter-finals last season where they lost to eventual champions Leinster, McCall is determined to mount a better challenge in the pool stages.
“We were taught a lesson (by Clermont) last season that there is no margin for error in the competition” added McCall who saw his side beaten 46-14 by Clermont at home last season. “You cannot have an off day and think it will be all right because you lose control of the pool and a potential quarter-final place.
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“We have to get off to a good start in Glasgow and they have a good side with lots of Scotland international. There will be a freshness when we get involved in the competition.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
45 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments