Welwyn RFC are proud to be a Saracens Partner Club.

Club Update 24/03/06

Next Home Game…

Saracens vs Worcester Warriors

Sunday 26th March Kick Off 15:00

‘The Alternative Mothering Sunday’

Saracens Easter Children’s Coaching Courses. Do you want to play at Twickenham next month?

Saracens Coaching Courses are a great opportunity to for young players to improve their skills under the guidance of Saracens professional players and qualified coaches. Currently we still have places available for the following Easter coaching courses.

Date:

Wed 5th Apr 06 - Fri 7th Apr 06

Date:

Tue 11th Apr 06 - Thu 13th Apr 06

Venue:

Letchworth RFC

Venue:

 Saracens Amateur RFC

Every young person taking part in a Saracens Coaching Course will get the chance to enter the O2 Kick, Pass and Run Challenge; the country's biggest rugby skills competition; it involves a series of kicking, passing and running skills tests in three age groups - 9 years and younger, 10 to 13 years and 14 to 16 years.

The winners from each age will be in with the chance to compete at Twickenham as part of Premiership Final and to be crowned the O2 Kick, Pass and Run Challenge Winner.

The only place you can take part in the O2 KPRC and be registered to be in with a chance to compete at Twickenham is at a Saracens Coaching Course. So if you wish to book you place now please see www.rugbycamps.com or email richardgregg@saracens.net

Headlines…

Director of Rugby interviews under way this week...

The search for Saracens' new Director of Rugby continues with the first round of interviews for the vacant post being held this week.

Chief Executive Mark Sinderberry has been pleased with the continuous level of interest in the position and has called upon the experience of Eddie Jones to help filter down the applicants. A shortlist has been drawn up and Sinderberry, along with other members of the Saracens Board, will be speaking to key candidates over the next two weeks.

The role of Director of Rugby varies from club to club but Saracens are looking for someone to oversee the entire playing programme of the whole club, from Academy upwards, whilst also having a 'hands on' role and taking on specific coaching responsibilities relevant to their area of expertise. They will also be responsible for ensuring that the existing coaching team continue to work together, along with the squad, to be the very best they can.

With Eddie Jones a part of the coaching set-up until the end of the season, the Board have been careful not to rush the process, but to ensure that due consideration is given to who will best take the club forward. However, they recognise the importance of announcing a decision as soon as they are able to provide a feeling of stability for everyone involved in the club, from the playing squad through to the supporters in the stands.

Squad work up a sweat in Portugal...

The Saracens squad flew out to Portugal in the early hours of Sunday morning for a five-day training camp as part of the preparations remainder of the season – starting with Sunday’s visit of Worcester Warriors to Vicarage Road, kick off 3pm.

The trip was booked much earlier in the season and the camps gives the team the ideal opportunity to focus on the final fives games in the Guinness Premiership with no distractions.

It was an early start for the squad with a 4.45am leave from the training ground to enable them to have a full day’s training on Sunday in what will be an intensive trip as they prepare for Sunday’s match, focus on the rest of the season and build on the team spirit shown in the recent 15-9 victory at Sale Sharks.

Player News…

Captain Vyvyan pledges his future...

Saracens’ captain Hugh Vyvyan has committed his future to the club after signing a three year contract extension.

The English international back row forward has made 52 appearances for Saracens since joining two seasons ago and said he was delighted to have put pen to paper on a new deal keeping him at the club until the end of the 2008/09 season.

He said: “I’m really delighted to sign the extension. Obviously, it hasn’t been a great season for us and as club captain I’m part of that. But I believe we have a good set of players here. The potential and the ambition of the squad is very strong and we are determined to get things right for the seasons to come.

“I believe that with a few improvements, we can be a very successful side and I want to be a part of that. I’m very excited about the future and everyone in the squad is very ambitious and we all want to do well.”

Vyvyan’s decision has been welcomed by Saracens’ Head Coach Mike Ford. “As captain, Hugh has played a major role over the past two seasons and we’re delighted he has signed for a further three years. Hugh is a very ambitious player and he has an important role to play not only for the rest of this season, but also in the coming years at Saracens,” explained Ford as he took a break from the club’s training camp in Portugal in the build-up to Sunday’s Guinness Premiership match against Worcester Warriors at Vicarage Road, kick off 3pm.

Vyvyan joined Saracens from Newcastle Falcons at the start of last season having captained the side to Powergen Cup victory and is enjoying life in London. He added: “I’m very happy and settled. My wife is working in London and we’re enjoying life outside rugby. But obviously, I can’t hide from the fact that’s it’s been a frustrating year on the pitch and hopefully we can put those things right.”

This season, the captain has spent much of the season away from his regular No.8 position, but added he is happy to play in the back row.

He added: “I have had to fill in quite a lot with people being injured which is a little bit disrupting, but I feel equally happy at No.8 or blindside flanker. Ben Skirving has been playing extremely well at No.8 and I don’t see my game changing wherever I play in the back row. I’m equally happy in both positions.

“There is a lot of competition in the back row at Saracens. We’ve seen David Seymour have another good year, Ben Russell play very well and also Skirving having a good season. They’ve taken their opportunities and they’ve had to with Alex Sanderson retiring and Richard Hill missing since the start of the season. It’s a strong position in the club and I know that I’m going to have to work very hard to hold down a place next year. That’s where it all starts for me; ensuring I play as well as I can on a weekly basis with Saracens.”

The squad are in Portugal this week for a training camp as part of the preparations for Sunday’s game against Worcester and the rest of the season. But Vyvyan added that the squad have to take things just one game at a time.

“It’s an old cliché but it’s very true,” he explained. “We can’t think beyond Worcester. It’s a huge game for us and we’re preparing extremely well for it. Training has been excellent and has been very focused. We’ve built up some confidence from the Sale victory and we need to take that into Sunday’s match.”

International Round Up...

Saracens' Adam Powell, Tom Mercey, Ben Thomas and Andy Saul helped England U19 to a 32-9 victory over Ireland U19 at The Stoop on Saturday in their final game of this season's Six Nations.

Meanwhile in Cardiff Thomas Castaignede was celebrating clinching the Senior Six Nations title with France as they overcame the Welsh challenge to finish top of the pile.

Four Saracens selected for World Championships...

Four Saracens players have been selected in the Engand squad for the IRB U19 World Championships in Dubai next month.

Adam Powell, Tom Mercey, Andy Saull and Ben Thomas have all been named by England U19 coaches Nigel Redman and Damian McGrath in the squad for the tournament.

On Wednesday April 5th they take on Ireland U19, followed by Argentina U19 on Sunday 9th April and title holders, South Africa U19, on Friday 21st April. The semi finals are on Monday 17th April and the final on Friday 21st April.

Other News…

Leeds away tickets available now...

Leeds Tykes v Saracens on Sunday 9th April are currently on sale.
 
We have seating at £20 for adults and £15 for concessions and standing at £15 for adults and £10 for concessions.

To book your tickets or for more information, please contact the Ticket Office on 01923 475222.

Make Mother’s Day – with the Sequoia Spa at The Grove…

As a thank you to all the Mums who are going to spend their Mother’s Day with us (when we take on Worcester Warriors at Vicarage Road on Sunday 26th March), we are giving them the chance to win a ‘Relax’ day spa package at the Sequoia Spa at The Grove, Chandlers Cross - the ideal opportunity to escape from the stresses and strains of life as a busy mum!

To enter, just let the Ticket Team know when booking your tickets if one of them is for a Mum and we will take her details – or, if you are a mum who already have a season ticket, or match ticket, just call the Ticket Team on 01923 475222, let them know you’ll be there, and they’ll enter you into the half time draw. (If you book online, you will need to e-mail helendavies@saracens.net with the name and address of the mum in your party and she will ensure they are entered).

The 'Relax' day spa package includes nearly four hours of heavenly treatments!

  - Welcome Foot Ritual & Consultation

 - Salt and Oil Scrub

 - ESPA Holistic Back Face and Scalp Massage with hot stones

 - The ESPA Holistic Foot and Nail Treatment

 On top of this, you will also receive:

 - Two course lunch - healthy or not so healthy! Choose from the spa cuisine menu in the tranquil surroundings of the Spa Garden Room

 - Unlimited use of the indoor pool, fitness and exercise studios and spa facilities

 - Relax and unwind in the Vitality pool with its therapeutic saline water and hydrotherapy jets

 - Enjoy the crystal steam rooms, saunas, tropical rain or cold mist showers; then escape to the luxurious relaxation rooms where heated electric loungers with personal music systems await you

 - Jog or take a brisk walk around The Grove’s specially designed trail with marked exercise points

 - Cycle around our 300 acres of parkland and woodland

 - Mineral water and fresh fruit juices are also provided within the relaxation areas

And if all this wasn’t enough, the lucky winner will also receive a complimentary E'Spa gift set, which includes the perfect selection of skin care essentials!

Any comments, additions, errors or omissions send an email here.