Mark McCall credits 'godsend' in Noah Caluori's development

Saracens boss Mark McCall believes Noah Caluori’s rise to the top of the Gallagher PREM try scoring charts has been powered by the improvements he made with Ampthill in Champ Rugby, which have put him on course for a place in England’s Nations Cup squad this summer

Caluori inspired Saracens to a 13-try 85-19 victory over Sale Sharks at the CorpAcq Stadium with the young winger equalling the five tries he scored against the Sharks in the reverse fixture in October to take his season’s total to 17, extending his lead at the top of the league’s try-scoring charts to seven over Bristol Bears’ Kalaveti Ravouvou and Northampton Saint’s Tommy Freeman.

The wing’s breakthrough season has not been without its challenges with Caluori being sent to Ampthill to work on key areas of his game despite having been called up to the England autumn internationals squad where he was unused by head coach Steve Borthwick and appeared for England U20’s in their 2026 Six Nations campaign.

Despite this recognition, McCall and his Sarries coaches – including one who also works as part of the Ampthill coaching unit – believed another spell in Champ Rugby would allow Caluori time to iron out weaknesses, including improving his defence. McCall’s verdict on the last five try performance against a hapless Sale was to describe it as “complete”, highlighting the all round game he now sees in the youngster.

McCall will be looking for another eye catching display from Caluori against third placed Leicester Tigers, who put 60 points on Newcastle Red Bulls last time out and will be only too aware of the danger posed by the wing, whose work under the high ball is outstanding. McCall said: “To score five tries is great but all parts of his game were strong which is very encouraging.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Saracens

07:05

25 Apr 26

Leicester

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“What was impressive from Noah at the weekend was his all-round game and that is going to take him to where he wants to go and it’s not just the try scoring – there has to be more. His all round game has to be good and he is very diligent and open minded. He wants to improve those aspects of his game that are going to make a difference for him.

“We have got a really strong relationship with Ampthill and one of our academy coaches works with them and we get the video of any game that one of our young players is involved in and we study that at the club and they know that is the case. That happened to Noah as well. When I first came to Saracens there was an A team league and it was easier to give players a game and everyone wants to play rugby and be involved.

“Without the A league, the relationship with Ampthill allows us to play eight or nine of our players in their games and these are young players who are mates and have come through our academy. They train with Ampthill and win with Ampthill and that has been really enjoyable for them and it is crucial for young players to get as much game time at the highest possible level as they continue their development. Ampthill has been a godsend for us.”