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Reaction from the rugby world as Barritt confirms Saracens exit
By Online Editors
The rugby community has been paying tribute to Brad Barritt today after the Saracens captain confirmed he will be leaving the club at the end of the season. Barritt has signed a contract extension to see out the disrupted 2019/20 campaign with Saracens, but confirmed it will be his last at Allianz Park.
Barritt, who joined Saracens in 2008 and became captain in 2016, is one of the most decorated players in the club's history, winning five Premiership titles and three Champions Cups while making 257 appearances for Sarries.
South Africa-born Barritt also won 26 caps for England between 2012 and 2015 and was selected for the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.
Saracens will be relegated from the Premiership at the end of the season following their breach of salary cap rules, but still have a European Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster – who they beat in last year’s final – to look forward to.
“I’m excited and delighted to announce that I’ve signed a contract extension until the end of the 2019/20 season,” Barritt said.
“But I’m also sadly going to announce that this will be my last season with Saracens. I have had an incredible stay here of 12 years."
Barritt has not outlined his plans for life after Saracens, but news of his decision to leave the club led to a flood of tributes on Twitter.
"Congrats on a great career mate! Huge respect for how you play the game & what you’ve achieved," wrote Harlequins' Mike Brown.
"Some shift pal, enjoyed the battles," said Jamie Roberts.
"Hell of a run Brad!! Good luck this year and life after rugby!!" added Jamie Cudmore.
Referee Nigel Owens described Barritt as "A credit to the game of rugby on and off the field."
Former Saracens and Bath prob David Flatman wrote "Legend. Nails."
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Latest Comments
Not sure I understand. Its not obvious how you prioritize URC, Champions/Challenge Cup, Internationals, and rest. And if you add player development plans (eg experience of positions, playing conditions, game plans, opponents playing styles etc) it becomes harder. Additionally, consistency of selection helps with making adjustments to systems and tactics, so that further constrains your options. Travel challenges don’t make it easier.
Jake White has effectively decided that he would rather have a chance of success in one competition, at the expense of the other competition, than a near certainty of heroic failure in both. And he has implied that over time he plans to build enough depth to give the Bulls a chance in both the URC and Champions Cup simultaneously.
Not sure what is being proposed here that is supposedly a better plan.
Go to commentsIndeed he has STARTED more test games at 8. I actually said he’s PLAYED more games at 7, though. Do you remember where he tended to play when he came on wearing #20?
He likely will select on the basis of win ratios. IRE and ENG won 4, SCOT won 2 and WAL won none. 6 Irish, 6 English, 3 Scottish seems about right for the starting 15.
Yeah, I think he’ll definitely bring Beirne to have as a utility lock/flanker. Doris’ discipline and leadership has maybe rocked a little this year but he’s still the best 8 in the game.
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