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CLUBS UPDATE, 18th August 2005

Team News

Farrell is itching to get going

Saracens' Andy Farrell admits he can't wait for the season to start and pull on a Saracens shirt for the first time.

The former Great Britain and Wigan Rugby League captain made the switch to the 15-man game when he signed for Saracens in April, but he's had to wait four months to play - and is set to make his debut at Bedford Blues on Saturday.

“Pre-season has been going really well and I've had a good summer. Pre-seasons in both sports are pretty much the same and now I can't wait to get started,”  he stressed.

And Director of Rugby Steve Diamond admitted that is set to take the field at Bedford.

Diamond said: “Andy has settled in really well - he's been with us for three months but it's almost as if he's been here three years. He's a world class rugby player and he's had no problems settling in.”

But the big question on everyone's lips has been where will he play? Diamond added: “We're be primarily looking to start him at inside centre but also make sure we use his skills and make him one of our major receivers of the ball.

“He'll start there and then see what happens. When you've got a player who if 6ft 3in and the best part of 18 stone who can catch, pass and kick, you want to get the best out of him.”

Farrell himself has been training at inside centre, but also taking part in sessions with the back row and keeping a close eye on the lineout.

The player added: “I've been picking things up constantly in training and looking at different parts of the game, but there are a lot of similarities between union and league and now I'm just looking to make a good start.

“I'm always very tough on myself and I also know that there is pressure on me, but that's always been the same in any game I've played. I've been involved in pre-season for nine weeks now and the first game can't come around quick enough.

“I've been training hard and doing a lot of contact work in practice sessions, but that's no substitute for playing games. I'm really looking forward to it and raring to go.”

Castaignede sets sights on new season

Thomas Castaignede flew to France on Tuesday night to undergo fitness testing with the French national squad, but the centre admits the main thing on his mind is the start of the season with Saracens.

French Head Coach Bernard Laporte has called up a squad of 45 for the fitness tests as he looks to build a squad for the 2007 World Cup – but with the start of the Guinness Premiership season just over two weeks away, Castaignede is looking forward to the start of the campaign.

He said: “I’ve never really been a big fan of pre-season training, but this year it has been good fun. The work we have done has been really intensive and we have prepared very well, but the good thing is we are approaching the new season still feeling fresh in our minds as well as our bodies.

“It has helped a great deal that we all knew each other when we returned to training. In the past, you have had to get to know a lot of new faces, but this season we have a settled squad. It’s given everyone a big confidence boost and the new players who have joined us have settled in well and benefited from that.

Castaignede could also have a new partner in the centre this season with Andy Farrell joining the club. He said: “Having seen him in training, I know that it’s better to have Andy Farrell in your team than against you. It’s been very enjoyable to work with him and he has a great understanding of the game.”

Coaching duo forge partnership

Steve Diamond and Mike Ford explained their new roles at the club's pre-season media day on Tuesday and stressed they will be working as a partnership as they look to build on the progress of last season.

Following an announcement by Chief Executive Mark Sinderberry, Diamond will take on the position of Director of Rugby and Ford the role of Head Coach in preparation for the start of the 2005/06 Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup campaigns.

Diamond said: “Mike and I have known each other for a long time and we have formed an excellent working relationship together. We're both from similar areas in Manchester and we've decided that the best way forward from a coaching point of view is to create a partnership.

“We're both equal in what we do and Mike will be making a lot of the on-field decisions and I'll be working closely with him in those areas.”

Ford, who was with Saracens on a part-time basis last year but will take on a full-time position when he has completed his commitments with Ireland, added: “We'll be working very much as a partnership as we look to develop the side for the new season.

“We'll still be concentrating on the basics of defence and set-piece, but we'll be looking to develop our attacking game, giving the players the responsibility to take the attacks forward but still looking to stick to a simple game plan.”

The preparations for pre-season continue on Saturday with a friendly against Bedford and then a week later, Saracens entertain NEC Harlequins in a game that will be played at Harpenden RFC - kick-off 3pm.

Diamond added: “We've had a very good pre-season so far - the only huge disappointment has been the injury to Richard Hill which is a major blow to us. It looks like he'll be out for around eight months so if everything goes according to plan, we could be welcoming him back towards the end of the season.

“But in terms of the rest of the squad, fitness wise we are up and running and we have been preparing quietly, but working hard and aware of the size of the task in front of us to build on last season.”

Other news

See Saracens in pre-season action at Harpenden RFC

Andy Farrell is set to make his debut at Bedford on Saturday, but you'll have the chance to watch the former Great Britain Rugby League captain in action when Saracens face NEC Harlequins in a pre-season friendly at Harpenden RFC on Saturday 27th August - kick off 3pm.

It's a great chance to get close to the action as Director of Rugby Steve Diamond and Head Coach Mike Ford put the finishing touches to the side just a week before the start of the new Guinness Premiership season.

You can also see some of the other new Saracens squad members in action with Alan Dickens, Tom Ryder, Shane Byrne, Billy O'Driscoll, Emmanuel Amapakabo and Nnamdi Obi all a part of the team for the new season - along with some familiar faces in captain Hugh Vyvyan, Taine Randell, Cobus Visagie and Kyran Bracken.

The game kicks off at 3pm and entry for the match at Redbourne Lane, Harpenden, cost £10 for adults which includes free entry for one child. All other children cost £5.

Tickets are available from the following outlets in Harpenden; Billy's Bar and Restaurant, Lane Fox, The Silver Cup, Solano's, Thoms, The Cock, Legends, The Cross Keys and The Black and White Event Company.

You can also purchase tickets directly from Harpenden RFC on Tuesday and Thursday from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

Tickets will also be available from the Saracens Ticket Office on 01923 475222. Fans can also pay on the day. Parking is available for 2,000 cars on the day.


Young Saracens make the grade...

Saracens youngsters Tom Mercey and Andrew Saul are two of 18 players who have been selected in the 2005-06 Junior National Academy by Brian Ashton, the RFU's National Academy Manager. The players represent the most talented 16-19 year olds in England and will now hope to be selected later in the season for England Under 19 level competition.

Flanker Saull, who is still 16, was the England U16 player of the year last season and joined Saracens last year. Mercey has played for the England U16 and U19 sides and has been with Saracens since 2002. Last year aged just 17, the 6ft tight-head prop represented England U19 a year early.

Ashton and the RFU's National Academy coaches such as John Wells, Jim Mallinder and Tosh Askew have been coaching players at the University of Bath in recent weeks, to assess which would merit selection to the prestigious Junior National Academy.

Although Ashton named 18 players, he has the flexibility to add two more during the season if he feels they reach the required high standard.



 

 

 

 

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