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Stacked stayers: The Saracens XV set to play in next season's Championship
By Ian Cameron
Despite headlines detailing a player exodus at the club, Saracens could field a starting XV of 'stayers' in next season's RFU Championship that contains the vast majority of their mega-star talent pool.
While there a few stragglers among the biggest names yet to officially announce their intentions, it's becoming clear that the relegated Londoners will take the core of their squad into the English second flight with them, providing a veritable edifice of seasoned internationals for Championship sides to overcome.
By far the biggest names yet to officially confirm their intentions are flyhalf Owen Farrell and second row Maro Itoje, although it's widely expected the England pair are staying put. Scotland centre Duncan Taylor is also expected to extend his stay too, although he had been tenuously linked with Glasgow Warriors.
Blindside and sometimes lock Michael Rhodes and Pumas prop Juan Figallo's future is also yet to be officially confirmed.
Should they bounce back into the Gallagher Premiership, the slew of key young players set to return to the club in 21/22 from one-year loan deals will immediately make them one of the most powerful sides in the competition.
Here's a list of actual leavers, those departing but on a one-year loan, and a 23 of Saracens stayers made up of players set to compete in the Championship.
ACTUAL LEAVERS:
Will Skelton (La Rochelle)
George Kruis (Japan)
Richard Wigglesworth (at end of current season)
Brad Barritt (at end of current season)
Ben Spencer (Bath)
Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues)
Liam Williams (Scarlets)
Matt Gallagher (Munster)
ON LOAN FOR THE YEAR:
Nick Tompkins (Dragons)
Alex Lozowski (Montpellier)
Max Malins (Bristol Bears)
Ben Earl (Bristol Bears)
Jack Singleton (Gloucester)
Nick Isiekwe (Northampton Saints)
SARACENS STAYERS:
1: Mako Vunipola
2: Jamie George
3: Vincent Koch
4: Maro Itoje
5: Joel Kpoku
6: Jackson Wray
7: Sean Reffell
8: Billy Vunipola
9: Aled Davies
10: Manu Vunipola
11: Alex Lewington
12: Owen Farrell
13: Duncan Taylor
14: Sean Maitland
15: Elliot Daly
16: Tom Woolstencroft
17: Richard Barrington
18: Josh Ibuanokpe
19: Tim Swinson
20: Jaco Venter
21: Alex Day
22: Will Hooley
23: Dom Morris
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Latest Comments
Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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