Strettle can fulfill big talent
HE’S the final piece in our jigsaw. The signing of David Strettle from our London rivals Harlequins is a major boost to the Saracens squad for next season. He is a top-class wing who is leading the Premiership in line-breaks this season and on the verge of a deserved return to the England set-up.
David has the kind of character that will really fit in here at Saracens and I’m sure he can put his injury problems behind him and fulfill his huge potential for both club and country.
David joins fellow England internationals Richard Wigglesworth and Matt Stevens, plus Kelly Brown of Scotland, in next year’s squad, and that is no fluke.
I feel it’s vital to have a strong base of home players to succeed in the Premiership these days, plus there’s the fact you get your money back in EPS payments for the English guys who make it into the national side.
UNFORTUNATE
David is our second new signing of the week, following the arrival of talented South African back row forward Petrus Du Plessis from Nottingham.
Like David, Petrus was going to join us in the summer, but due to the unfortunate injuries to Carlos Nieto and Tom Mercey, we’ve brought him in early and I’m delighted to have him on board.
He now goes straight into the squad for the game against Newcastle on Sunday.
After five league defeats in the last six, the Newcastle game has become a very big game for us. As a squad, we sat down for what I thought was a very productive two-day debrief this week and we came out refreshed and knowing exactly what it is we have to do.
We targeted winning the Premiership, not just a top four place. There are six games left, six wins will take us there, if we fall short, we fall short, but it won’t be for the want of trying.
Brendan Venter is director of rugby at Saracens. For box office call 0844 847 2482.