'Steve is probably aware': Mark McCall verdict on Noah Caluori's England trajectory

Noah Caluori’s electric season continued with a four-try haul against Newcastle but Saracens boss Mark McCall insists improvements are needed if he is to be capped by England.

Caluori was named man of the match after running riot in a 73-14 Gallagher Prem victory at Stone X Stadium, lifting his strike rate to 12 tries in seven league appearances.

The 19-year-old wing took star billing a day after being overlooked by Steve Borthwick for England’s Six Nations squad and while McCall appreciates a “special talent”, he insists he is not the finished article.

“Noah’s first two tries were pretty special,” McCall said.

“For the first there was a lot to do after Elliot Daly’s kick through and it wasn’t an easy finish, but he made it look pretty easy.

Gallagher Premiership

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Northampton

10

8

1

1

43

2

Bath

10

8

2

0

41

3

Bristol

10

8

2

0

37

4

Leicester

10

7

3

0

36

5

Exeter Chiefs

10

6

3

1

35

6

Saracens

10

5

5

0

32

7

Sale

10

3

7

0

20

8

Gloucester

10

1

9

0

11

9

Harlequins

10

2

8

0

10

10

Newcastle

10

1

9

0

5

“And the second one was top class. Just that bit of footwork, bit of strength. He’s doing pretty well.

“There are a lot of good England wingers and there are parts of Noah’s game that are very, very high level and there are parts that require a bit of work.

“Steve is probably aware of that as well. Noah is certainly aware of it, but he’s had a really strong breakthrough season regardless.

“When you get first year academy players to your club, you’re normally just trying to find their very best level.

“For some that’s Bishop’s Stortford and for some it’s Ampthill. For Noah it’s been in the spotlight and it’s been at Premiership and European level. And he’s handled it really well so far.

“But there is some stuff he needs to improve on and we’ll keep on working away with him to make sure he improves those areas.

“I won’t talk about what those are, that’s not fair, but everyone can see his super strengths and what they are. We need to concentrate on those as well because he’s a special talent.”

Newcastle’s defence has been breached five times in two matches by Caluori this season and head coach Alan Dickens is impressed by a player with multiple strings to his bow.

“He’s not bad, is he? He’s having an outstanding breakthrough season. He’s a quality athlete and someone who will do well,” Dickens said.

“On the opening day of the season against us he grabbed a one hander in the air. He’s got the skill as well as the athleticism.”

The 10-try rout of Newcastle ended an eventful week for Saracens, who announced on Friday that McCall would step down at the end of the season after 15 successful years in charge.

“It’s a great weight off my shoulders. I’ve been sitting on it for a while and now that everyone knows and the players and coaches know, I feel a bit lighter.

“I feel like this is a good time for Saracens to have a new energy and for me to do something else. I’ve been doing it for a long time and I’m ready for something else.”