SARACENS HAVE BOLSTERED their second-row options with the signing of Waraths and Australia lock Will Skelton.
The 24-year-old will join the English champions on a short-term loan deal with immediate effect, although the length of his tenure with the north London club hasn’t been specified.
“We’re delighted to be able to bring a player of Will’s calibre into the group. He is an immensely talented rugby player with vast experience for a 24-year old tight-five forward,” said Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall, who lost South African lock Alistair Hargreaves to retirement in October.
“It’s no secret that we have been running low on a few bodies in the second-row department but we made it very clear that we wouldn’t compromise on quality when looking to add to our squad. In Will, we have a player who will certainly have an important role to play in our group over the next few months.”
Skelton has been capped 18 times by the Wallabies. He captained the side against the French Barbarians during their recent tour of the northern hemisphere but was later left out of the matchday squad for their defeats to Ireland and England.
Saracens say Skelton will be available for their Aviva Premiership, Anglo-Welsh Cup and European Champions Cup games during the duration of his short-term deal at Allianz Park.
The club are currently a point clear of Wasps at the top of the Aviva Premiership. They play Sale Sharks at home on Saturday in the European Champions Cup.
Poor Saracens, they have Itoje and Kruis, tried to get Etzebeth on a loan deal and instead they had to settle for Skelton, your heart would go out to them so it would.
He’s a lazy penalty machine. That’s fine
Big time. An odd signing
@Bazalicous Dunne: I’m lazy. Really lazy. This fella puts me to shame. Big lumbering eejit that arrives late to rucks, does nothing, gives away penalties and generally is more of a hindrance than an asset.
He won’t get near that team
Australia can thank Sarries for teaching how to play
Does this rule him out of super rugby competition in the new year?
@shane finnegan: Pre-season will have already started for the Super Rugby sides. He’s doing his Australian club and international prospects no favours. I’d say Chieka is fuming.