More contenders emerge for Juan Figallo role at Saracens

Former England hooker and RFU Championship-winning head coach Rob Webber is one of the names believed to be in the frame to replace Juan Figallo as Saracens scrum/academy forwards coach, once the Argentinean leaves at the end of the season.

Webber and DoR Harvey Biljon led Jersey Reds to the Championship title in 2022/23 but were unable to continue their good work when the club folded before the start of the current season.

The 37-year-old, who won 16 caps for England between 2012-15, is currently with Chicago Hounds in Major League Rugby.

Another former England international based in the States to be mentioned in connection with the role is Alex Corbisiero.

The American-born prop is scrum coach with San Diego Legion having previously worked at the LA Giltinis in the MLR.

Corbisiero is also well-known for his media work and serves as an analyst during NBC Sports Group’s coverage of Premiership Rugby and Six Nations Championship Rugby.

Glasgow Warriors’ scrum coach Alasdair Dickinson, who spent a year in the Premiership in an identical role with Bristol in 2020-21, is another whose name has been linked with the reigning English champions.

Last week Fissler Confidential flagged reports in the French press that Montauban coach Florent Wieczorek was in talks about a move to North London.

Montauban finished second-from-bottom in Pro D2 and are set to be relegated to the third tier of French rugby.

Figallo, who also coached on-loan Saracens youngsters at Ampthill, will leave the StoneX  a popular figure after serving the club well as both a player and coach.

He was involved in three Premiership titles and three European trophies as well as lifting an LV= Cup in a trophy-filled career.

The former Argentina international, who won 33 caps at prop and played in three Rugby World Cups, made 96 appearances in the Saracens front row before injuries caught up with him and he moved into coaching as Ian Peel’s assistant.

In a statement on the club’s website, he said: “10 years… I have been at Saracens for nearly a third of my life. We came as a young couple, newlyweds, and a decade later we are leaving as a family of five and a dog.

“I grew up here as a man, a player and most recently a coach.

“I just want to thank the players for helping me in the transition to this new role, to all the staff for the help and guidance and also I want to thank the Saracens supporters for being as incredible as you are.

“My time at Saracens has come to an end physically but my love and support will always be here.

“Thank you, Gracias, Merci!”