Latest news with #Saracens
Wales Online
a day ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Cardiff announce double signing as Wales international switches regions and Scotland star joins
Cardiff announce double signing as Wales international switches regions and Scotland star joins Matt Sherratt has added two internationals to his squad ahead of next season Wainwright has joined Cardiff ahead of next season (Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency ) Cardiff Rugby have announced the double signing of international tighthead props Javan Sebastian and Sam Wainwright. Scotland international and former Scarlets player Sebastian returns to Wales after spending two seasons with Edinburgh, while four-cap Wales front row Wainwright makes the move from Parc y Scarlets to the Arms Park, having spent three years in Llanelli since moving from Saracens. The pair will now compete with Keiron Assiratti and Will Davies-King for the starting number three jersey for Matt Sherratt's side from next season. 'We're delighted to secure the services of Javan and Sam," said Sherratt as the double signing was confirmed. 'Javan has gone away from Wales and developed as a person and a player, picking up international experience. "He is technically excellent around his set piece and will add to the Cardiff game model with his work in open play. 'Sam will add real depth and competition to the tight head position," he added. "He has very good experience for a 27-year-old - playing in the English Premiership at Saracens and the URC with the Scarlets, while gaining international experience. 'He has a real passion for the set piece and a great work ethic that will enable him to add to our game model. We look forward to welcoming both players and their families to Cardiff.' Article continues below Wainwright - who made 50 appearances during his stint with the Scarlets - said that he had heard "nothing but good things" about the capital city region as he spoke of his excitement at joining Sherratt's squad. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. 'Myself and my family are really grateful for the opportunity Cardiff have given us and we are really looking forward to coming to the capital and linking up with such a great team, with so much history," he said. 'We have heard nothing but good things about Cardiff. It is a great environment for players and their families, which was a big reason for signing.' Sebastian, who represented Wales at U16 and U18 level but has won 10 caps for Scotland after qualifying through his father, added that he was "looking forward to calling the Arms Park home." "I'm really looking forward to joining such a great club," he said. "I have seen what they have been building at Cardiff over the last couple of years and it's really exciting. 'Moving closer to home and family is also nice and I'm looking forward to giving 100% for the jersey. Article continues below "I know a lot of the boys there, so it will be awesome to catch up with a few of the guys I have grown up with in Wales, playing with and against. 'I'm also looking forward to calling the Arms Park home. It's always a really special place to play with an awesome crowd.' Sebastian and Wainwright are the latest players to sign for Cardiff ahead of next season, with deals already confirmed for Wales internationals Taine Basham and Ioan Lloyd as well as locks George Nott and Tom Cottle.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Saracens open door to Owen Farrell return — but with two big stumbling blocks
Owen Farrell 's return to Saracens rugby next season moved a step closer after boss Mark McCall revealed the former England captain could be recruited as injury cover. Farrell has experienced a disappointing debut campaign at Racing 92, marred by a groin injury and the club's poor form, leading to reports that he is plotting a route back into the Premiership by ending his contract a year early. Saracens are permitted to bring in a reinforcement to fill the gap created in the squad by Alex Lozowski 's achilles injury, which will sideline the versatile fly-half and centre until Christmas, while the retirement of veteran playmaker Alex Goode has thinned the options further. It raises the prospect of Farrell rejoining his only English club, but McCall admitted there are several hurdles that must first be navigated - including the fact that the 33-year-old has to be paid the same as Lozowski and agreement over a transfer fee. "We think we're a bit vulnerable at 10," said McCall, whose side failed to qualify for the Premiership play-offs despite a 36-26 home victory over Bath on Saturday. "The way the process works is you compile a list of people you think might be suitable. "Owen wasn't on the list because he's under contract with Racing, but there are some noises that Racing might be prepared to look at that and he might be prepared to look at that as well. "A couple of things have to happen. One, Racing have to let him go and they've got to let him go for a price which a club is willing to pay. And secondly he's got to accept a salary which is less than he's on. "If Owen comes on to the list, he looks like a pretty good option on the list because of the value for money that he would bring." Farrell spent 16 years at Saracens before heading across the Channel in 2024 and McCall believes England's record points scorer and veteran of 112 caps would provide a vital service by helping develop Saracens' young fly-halves Fergus Burke and Louie Johnson. "It's not just about having talent, it's about being able to think properly on the field. Owen's obviously one of the best at that," McCall said. "Owen and Louis Johnson in particular have a very strong relationship already. They talk every month at least. "Owen's so willing to share his knowledge and his experience with younger players. For our young talents who are developing, it could be a great thing to have him there." Runaway Premiership leaders Bath will face Bristol in their semi-final at the Recreation Ground on Friday night and head coach Johann van Graan welcomed the renewal of a fierce West Country rivalry. "Bristol are a good side. It's a one off, it becomes a pressure game and the winner takes it all and gets to Twickenham," Van Graan said. "Both teams have evolved this season. We played them a few weeks ago in the Principality so I think the beauty of a semi-final is, it doesn't matter what you've done. "It doesn't matter what happened before, it's a new venue, new ball, new referee, two totally different teams and it's the knockouts. It's what we've worked the whole season for and we can't wait."
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Alun Wyn Jones left 'sad' and Wales star's team-mates ask 'what's going on?'
Today's rugby news as Alun Wyn Jones left 'sad' and Wales star's team-mates ask 'what's going on?' The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond Alun Wyn Jones (Image: 2023 Getty Images ) Here are your rugby evening headlines for Sunday, June 1. Alun Wyn Jones bemoans Welsh rugby's 'sad' state Former Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has bemoaned the 'sad' situation Welsh rugby finds itself amid off-field uncertainty and the prospect of a reduction in the number of professional teams. The future of four equally funded teams in Wales is in serious doubt, after the Scarlets and Ospreys did not sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement. Once again, Welsh rugby finds itself dominated by talk of what will happen off the field, rather than on it. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "It is sad," said former Wales second-row Jones on BBC Scrum V. "A lot of things used to go on in the background. "Unfortunately, those things are going on in the foreground. The saga continues and it is sad. "It's embarrassing to a point that it still hasn't been sorted, after what's been achieved and the talent we've got coming through. I'm continually asked about talent. "Yeah, we've got talent. Do we want to make more? Of course we do. "But credit to all the players at the regions who have been dealing with the uncertainty, staff included. It's not an easy place to be. If it was another centre of work, there'd be a lot of different outcomes." Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell, who has recently been plying his trade in Japan, added that his experiences of playing outside of Wales was how shocked people elsewhere were with the state of the game in this country. "The really disappointing thing is two years ago, Ken Owens and Nigel Walker stood outside the Vale and said we were the laughing stock of the rugby world," said the former Scarlets fly-half. "It doesn't really feel like we've done much. "We've had a lot of motion, but not much action in two years unfortunately. World rugby is crying out for Wales to get their act together and be strong. "The number of boys from overseas I've played with this season and they all ask what is going on there? They used to look at Wales and think they were competitive and made the most of what they had. "But we don't do that. I can testify to the apathy that is there for the state of Welsh rugby, not just from a Welsh perspective, but from an international perspective." Saracens begin talks over Farrell return By Duncan Bech, England Rugby Correspondent Owen Farrell's return to Saracens next season moved a step closer after boss Mark McCall revealed the former England captain could be recruited as injury cover. Farrell has experienced a disappointing debut campaign at Racing 92, marred by a groin injury and the club's poor form, leading to reports that he is plotting a route back into the Gallagher Premiership by ending his contract a year early. Saracens are permitted to bring in a reinforcement to fill the gap created in the squad by Alex Lozowski's Achilles injury, which will sideline the versatile fly-half and centre until Christmas, while the retirement of veteran playmaker Alex Goode has thinned the options further. It raises the prospect of Farrell rejoining his only English club, but McCall admitted there are several hurdles that must first be navigated – including the fact that the 33-year-old has to be paid the same as Lozowski and agreement over a transfer fee. 'We think we're a bit vulnerable at 10,' said McCall, whose side failed to qualify for the Premiership play-offs despite a 36-26 home victory over Bath on Saturday. 'The way the process works is you compile a list of people you think might be suitable. 'Owen wasn't on the list because he's under contract with Racing, but there are some noises that Racing might be prepared to look at that and he might be prepared to look at that as well. 'A couple of things have to happen. One, Racing have to let him go and they've got to let him go for a price which a club is willing to pay. And secondly he's got to accept a salary which is less than he's on. 'If Owen comes on to the list, he looks like a pretty good option on the list because of the value for money that he would bring.' Farrell spent 16 years at Saracens before heading across the Channel in 2024 and McCall believes England's record points scorer and veteran of 112 caps would provide a vital service by helping develop Saracens' young fly-halves Fergus Burke and Louie Johnson. Peel proud of Scarlets' efforts Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel was proud of his side's efforts as they were knocked out of the United Rugby Championship play-offs by top seed Leinster in Dublin. The west Walians gave a good account of themselves at the Aviva Stadium, with Tom Rogers, Blair Murray and Johnny Williams crossing for tries. However, it wasn't enough - although Peel was philosophical as he reflected upon the Scarlets' efforts this sason. "I'm proud of the season as a whole," he told BBC Wales. "Our big thing this year was we wanted to compete hard and I think we did that right up to the last minute of the last game. "It was a tough game. At 15-14 at half-time, the first 10 minutes of that second-half, they probably got it technically and tactically right. "We couldn't quite recover. We maybe didn't have enough of the ball. I'm proud of the effort and the commitment we showed. "This team are on the start of a journey. They're young and they want to learn. They're obviously heartbroken in the changing room now. But I think there's a lot more to come from this team. "We've worked hard this year to get into this position. We were in the fight and we maybe weren't as accurate as we could have been in certain areas. That's the nature of the beast." Munster crash out of URC after semi-final shootout defeat to Sharks By PA Sport Staff Sharks booked their spot in the United Rugby Championship semi-finals after a dramatic shootout decider saw them edge past Munster in Durban. After drawing 24-24 in regulation time, neither side could find a winning score in extra time as the game boiled down to kicks from the 15 and then 10-metre line, where Rory Scannell missed his effort for Munster and the Sharks went on to kick all six of their attempts to reach the final four. The visitors had taken the lead nine minutes into the first half when Jack Crowley's cross-field kick bounced up for Calvin Nash to grasp and dive over the line before Crowley added the extras, but the match evolved into a scrappy encounter as both Crowley and Jaden Hendrikse sent penalties wide. The game burst into life after the break and the Sharks capitalised on their bright start when Ethan Hooker cut in from the right wing, weaving around the Munster defence to score, with Hendrikse converting before sending his side ahead with a penalty. Fineen Wycherley then squeezed through a gap to cross following a quick Munster break, with Crowley's kick successful and they extended their advantage when the hosts were unable to defend Mike Haley's kick, allowing Diarmuid Kilgallen to pounce on the loose ball and ground before Crowley converted. The Sharks staged an impressive comeback with two tries in the final 15 minutes, pulling one back when Aphelele Fassi crossed, with Hendrikse converting and Fez Mbatha struck after breaking through the visiting defence on the tryline to ground before Hendrikse added the extras. Article continues below Conor Murray's successful penalty from just inside his own half levelled the score at 24-24 to send the game to extra time and Hendrikse had a drop goal attempt brilliantly blocked by Thomas Ahern before the contest reached its climax with a shootout, where the Sharks claimed victory.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Saracens keen to end Owen Farrell's French exile with the former England captain eyed as a possible injury replacement for Alex Lozowski
As the season highlights played on the big screens in the corners of the StoneX Stadium after the final whistle, it was hard not to feel that Owen Farrell 's return could be the best thing to happen to Saracens. And when Mark McCall took the microphone to debrief on the club's fruitless campaign, it became clear that their iconic No 10 could return sooner than anticipated. It is no secret that Racing 92 and Farrell are ready to go their separate ways and McCall, in a remarkably honest press conference, claimed it would be 'a great thing' if he decided to come home to north London. Saracens are entitled to sign an additional back as injury cover for Alex Lozowski and this week's news that Racing are ready to sell Farrell out of his contract — for a reported fee of €500,000 (£422,000) — could provide the perfect candidate. 'When Alex Lozowski gets an injury, then you're entitled to use an injury dispensation, given the length of the injury, and bring a new player to the club from outside your squad,' said McCall. 'But he can only play in the same position as the person who's been injured. Obviously Alex plays 10, 12, 13 and the player coming in can only come in for the same money or less. So those are your factors. 'We think we're a bit vulnerable at 10, to be honest. We've got quite a lot of 12s and 13s, but we're vulnerable at 10 because Alex Goode's retired and he's played 10 a lot for us. Alex Lozowski, who's our next 10, is injured until Christmas. 'So we feel a bit vulnerable there. We've got Fergus [Burke], we've got Louis [Johnson] and then we've got no-one else. 'So this is the way the process works — you compile a list of people you think might be suitable. I know Owen wasn't on the list, of course he wasn't because he's under contract with Racing, but there are some noises that Racing might be prepared to look at that and he might be prepared to look at that as well. 'But a couple of things have to happen — Racing have to let him go and they've got to let him go for a price which some club, us included, are willing to pay. And that's a small amount. And secondly, he's got to accept a salary which is less than he's on. 'He's not on the list yet, because he's under contract. If he comes onto the list, he looks like a pretty good option, because of the value for money that he would be.' Aside from the two years when Saracens were engulfed in the salary cap scandal, this is the first time the club have missed out on the play-offs since 2009. It has been a season that has been lacking in bite. They have missed Farrell's aggressive consistency and that was evident as their campaign concluded with a limp victory against a heavily rotated Bath team featuring seven young debutants. 'It's not just about having talent, it's about being able to think properly on the field,' added McCall. 'I know Owen's obviously one of the best at that. Him and Louis Johnson in particular have a very strong relationship already. 'They talk every month at least. Owen's so willing to share his knowledge and his experience with younger players. He doesn't have to play 10, he can play other positions as well. So for our young talents who are developing, it could be a great thing to have him there.'
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Saracens confirm Farrell ‘noises' as rebuild starts now
Saracens 36 Bath 26 This hollow finish to the season for Saracens underscored just how badly they have missed the leadership and experience of Owen Farrell and the prospect of him returning from Racing 92 appears to be gaining momentum. Mark McCall, the Saracens director of rugby, confirmed the club were looking at the potential of the former England captain returning next season as an injury dispensation player for Alex Lozowski, who is out with an Achilles injury until Christmas. McCall insisted however that a number of hurdles still had to be cleared, most pertinently, whether Racing were prepared to release him for significantly less than the €500,000 (£421,500) transfer fee they are demanding, and for Farrell to accept a salary less than he is currently receiving in Paris. McCall believes the return of Farrell, who left the club last year after 16 seasons, in a player/coach role would also have a significant impact in fast-tracking the club's rebuilding project after the high-profile departures that also included the Vunipola brothers, Mako and Billy, and retirements of Sean Maitland and Alex Lewington. 'He doesn't have to play 10, he can play other positions as well,' said McCall. 'So for our young talents who are developing, it could be a great thing to have him there. 'It's not just about having talent, it's about being able to think properly on the field. I know Owen's obviously one of the best at that. He and Louis Johnson in particular have a very strong relationship already. They talk every month at least. Owen's so willing to share his knowledge and his experience with younger players.' McCall said there had been 'some noises' that Racing and Farrell might be prepared to look at a move but at the moment was not on his list to replace Lozowski because the 33-year-old was still under contract. 'When Alex Lozowski gets an injury, then you're entitled to use an injury dispensation given the length of the injury and bring a new player to the club from outside your squad,' McCall added. 'But he can only play in the same position as the person who's been injured. Obviously, Alex plays 10, 12, 13 and the player coming in can only come in for the same money or less. So those are your factors. 'We think we're a bit vulnerable at 10, to be honest. We've got quite a lot of 12s and 13s, but we're vulnerable at 10 because Alex Goode's retired and he's played 10 a lot for us. We've got Fergus [Burke], we've got Louis and then we've got no-one else. 'So this is the way the process works – you compile a list of people you think might be suitable. I know Owen wasn't on the list, of course he wasn't because he's under contract with Racing, but there are some noises that Racing might be prepared to look at that and he might be prepared to look at that as well. 'But a couple of things have to happen – Racing have to let him go and they got to let him go for a price which some clubs, us included, are willing to pay. And that's a small amount. And, secondly, he's got an accept a salary which is less than he's on. So there are a few things that would have to happen. But he's not even on the list yet, because he's under contract. 'If he comes on to the list, he looks like a pretty good option on the list, because of the value for money that he would be.' "There are some discussions with Racing as to whether or not they would release him from his contract." Mark McCall reveals the latest on a possible Owen Farrell and Saracens reunion 👀 #GallagherPrem — Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) May 31, 2025 Saracens were comfortable winners here, but never dominant and even with the emotional drivers such as Alex Goode's final game for the club after over 400 appearances, were flat. Saracens's fate had been in the hands of others since their defeat by Northampton in the penultimate round, when Farrell's absence was most acutely obvious as they let a commanding lead slip in the final quarter at Franklin's Gardens. It is only the third time since 2009 that they have not reached the play-offs. Johann van Graan's side had clinched top spot in the league three rounds earlier and so could afford to rest all 23 players who had been in the squad that defeated Lyon in the Challenge Cup final in Cardiff eight days earlier. And yet they still managed to make life uncomfortable for Saracens at times, with Tyler Offiah, son of rugby league legend Martin, Kepu Tuipulotu and Louie Hennessey, scoring in the final quarter after McCall's side had established a commanding lead with tries by Rotimi Segun, Jamie George (2), Elliot Daly and Theo Dan. Fergus Burke would add the sixth and final try. Bath can now look forward to a semi-final against Bristol on Friday at the Recreation Ground. 'Bristol are a good side. It's a one-off, it becomes a pressure game and the winner takes it all and gets to Twickenham,' said Johann van Graan, Bath's director of rugby. 'Both teams have evolved this season. We played them a few weeks ago in the Principality so I think the beauty of a semi-final is it doesn't matter what you've done. 'It doesn't matter what happened before, it's a new venue, new ball, new referee, two totally different teams and it's the knockouts. It's what we've worked the whole season for and we can't wait.'
