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Saracens forced to evolve in response to leaking of coaching talent - Sanderson
Paul Gustard’s arrival as Harlequins head of rugby is the latest example of Saracens impact on coaching around the rugby world and the English Premiership champions are actively spreading their title winning gospel.
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The ethos that Brendan Venter helped create at Saracens has been carried on by Mark McCall, the current director of rugby, who has seen Andy Farrell, Gustard, Ian Vass, Rory Teague and Rob Cain leave to take up key roles at home and abroad, with former player Mouritz Botha now the forwards coach with Germany. Just like their first team squad, the English champions are concentrating on homegrown talent in their successful Academy where the next group of coaches are being groomed.
In May last year Mike Hynard replaced Don Barrell as Saracens Academy Manager with Barrell joining the Rugby Football Union as Head of Regional Academies. Currently part of the Saracens Academy are Kelly Brown, the former Scotland captain who has coached breakdowns for Scotland and also helped Canada and the Royal Navy and Adam Powell, the former Saracens and Newcastle centre.
The Saracens coaching production line has delivered;
- Brendan Venter, former technical director London Irish, ex-defence consultant South Africa and Italy.
- Andy Farrell, British and Irish Lions coach, defence coach of Ireland.
- Paul Gustard, former England defence coach and newly appointed Harlequins head of rugby.
- Ian Vass, former England U20 Grand Slam winning coach now with Montpellier.
- Rory Teague, former skills coach with England now head coach at Bordeaux Begles
- Rob Cain first full-time USA women’s head coach after his role with Saracens title winning women’s team
- Mouritz Botha, forwards coach with Germany
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For Saracens, there must be a real danger that by allowing key coaches to join rival organisations, their position at the top of the game could be seriously undermined. Owner Nigel Wray dismisses this notion insisting that like his players, the coaches are encouraged to make the very best of their talents
Alex Sanderson, the Saracens forwards and defence coach, whose name has been linked to the England defence role that Gustard left this summer, agrees with Wray and rather than fearing the club’s secrets will be lost, he believes it only pushes the English champions to keep evolving and getting even better.
Sanderson is relishing going up against Gustard when the clubs meet at the Stoop on October 6 in a game that will be streamed live to the USA by NBC. He said: ”It is going to be even more interesting to have Guzzy there because there is no love lost between Sarries and Quins. Maybe they needed an environmental or cultural shift because they certainly have the players, tradition and pedigree to be a really good team. They are not far off it and to be honest, I am going to be really pleased to see more of him because I didn’t when he was with England as Eddie kept him very busy.
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“There are similarities in terms of what teams do in defence and by having him, Quins will know our principles and policies but there is so much more to defence than just the system. It is always evolving as it did starting with Brendan (Venter) and then Guzzy and there are constant changes every season, especially when people leave the club. While the ethos continues you are always looking to move things forward regardless who is in charge.
“ We want to win all of the competitions and the European Champions Cup is massive. We let ourselves down in the Cup last season and if anything to home defeat in the pool stage against Clermont was the turning point for us. When we looked at what needed to be addressed it was a case of recognising the slide had started weeks earlier and while we didn’t have a big stand up meeting we had a lot of difficult small conversations and got everyone back onto the same page.
“To win the Premiership title again at Twickenham was sweet for the reasons I have mentioned, having turned a corner and found a way to get back on top again. I don’t look too far ahead. It is about getting through the first three games of the new season and see where we are and as always, it is about enjoying the journey – simple as that.”
Comments on RugbyPass
What a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 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.
14 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.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 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,
14 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.
14 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.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to comments