McCall and backroom team sign new deals at Saracens and it may not be good news for England
Premiership champions Saracens have agreed a contract extensions for Mark McCall and six of his backroom staff including Alex Sanderson, who had been heavily linked to England.
England are looking for a defence coach after the departure of Paul Gustard to Harlequins and Sanderson had been hotly tipped to fill the void.
Gustard will leave after England’s three-match tour of South Africa and Jones will be keen to find a replacement with the World Cup in Japan a little over a year away.
Jones has picked up three backroom staff from Saracens during his tenure with England – Gustard, Steve Borthwick and Rory Teague – however Sanderson won’t be his fourth.
Saracens wasted little time in tying up their coaching team, just three days after they beat defending Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs 27-10 at Twickenham.
50-year-old McCall joined Sarries in 2009 before taking up his current position as Director of Rugby midway through the 2010/11 campaign, leading the Men in Black to an Aviva Premiership crown in that season.
They have since won three English titles – the latest a thrilling victory over the Chiefs on Saturday – as well as back-to-back European Cup triumphs in 2015/16 and 2016/17.
Sanderson is joined by Phil Morrow, Kevin Sorrell, Joe Shaw, Ian Peel and Dan Vickers in agreeing agreed new deals.
Chairman Nigel Wray said: “It’s great news that they have all re-signed. They’re a team within a team; a group of friends together – they’re my friends.
On Monday centre Brad Barritt committed his future for a further two seasons.
The 31-year-old joined Saracens 10 years ago and made his debut against Gloucester in November 2008.
The Sarries captain was named 2009/10 Player of the Season and won his first Aviva Premiership title the following year.
He earned the first of his 26 England caps in 2012 and was later called up to the British & Irish Lions’ victorious tour of Australia.
Barritt was instrumental in Saracens securing their second league crown in 2014/15 before assuming skippering duties on a permanent basis after leading the Men in Black to a domestic and European cup double.
The South African-born man then spearheaded Sarries to a second Champions Cup success last term and helped the Allianz Park outfit reclaim the Premiership on Saturday.
Part of the club for so long, Barritt says it was an easy decision to extend his stay in north London.
“It’s pretty much a no-brainer for me,” he told Saracens.com.
“Being part of Saracens has been an amazing journey and I’m really pleased to be able to extend my time at the club. I think the hallmark of our success as a club over the past few years has been the stability and the consistency of the squad we’ve kept together so I’m delighted to stay on the train and be part of this fantastic club. It feels as much as a family as it does a rugby club.”
Director of Rugby Mark McCall welcomed the news and said: “Since Brad joined in 2008, he has made an extraordinary contribution on and off the field. He leads by example and is hugely respected by his teammates and staff. He epitomises all the qualities we want to see in our players and has played a crucial role in the continuing development of the team.
“We’re delighted he’s committed his future to the club.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I 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 commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
2 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
2 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
4 Go to comments