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Saracens make emergency signing after losing Louie Johnson until 2025
By Josh Raisey
Saracens have signed former Harlequins and Newcastle Falcons fly-half Tim Swiel on a short-term deal as cover for Louie Johnson, who has been ruled out for three months with a biceps tear.
Johnson arrived at the StoneX Stadium from Newcastle as one of two fly-half signings Saracens made over the summer, alongside Fergus Burke, as the London outfit entered their post-Owen Farrell era.
With the Premiership Rugby Cup getting underway in November, the versatile Swiel, capable of playing at fly-half and full-back, has come in to boost Saracens' stocks with a handful of backline players away on international duty.
Since leaving Newcastle in 2020, the English-born, South African-raised Swiel has enjoyed stints in South Africa, Japan and Scotland, but trained with Saracens last season, where he proved to be a popular figure according to director of rugby Mark McCall.
Johnson, meanwhile, has recently undergone surgery on his left arm following the injury.
“Tim was a very popular member of the group when he trained with us last year so we are delighted to have him back," McCall said after signing the 31-year-old.
"His experience will be valuable to the younger players and we are excited to see him steer the group through the Cup calendar.”
Swiel added: “I’m really pleased to be back here at Saracens. After training with them at the end of last season I could see how much quality there is in the group, and I’m looking forward to playing my part with this new-look squad.”
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Latest Comments
Your unterstanding of the relation FFR LNR, is far better than the one in the article. For Meafou, there is an article on Skelton saying he is totally indispensable in the australian game.
In France they are often compared, and french game is often, but not always ,based on this kind of number 5. But , there are a lot of kind of play in France and in the world, and it's a blessing, because otherwise, the game would be boring.
On my other post ,which you replied, my intention was to explain with some historics facts the main importance, in France, of the championship.
But ,once again, I would prefer 3 games in NZ , with the better french players.
Go to commentsI said before the November tests that the AB's should go smash some Nh teams to find their feet and it seems that is just what they did bar France. Could have should have always sucks. Better to look to the future.
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