New signing: Billy Vunipola
Saracens have announced the signings of Harlequins prop James Johnston and Wasps number eight Billy Vunipola.
Samoan international Johnston follows in the footsteps of his brother Census who previously played for the club, whilst Vunipola links up with brother Mako and is set to train with England in the coming weeks.
The club have also announced 12 contract extensions ahead of next season, including exciting prospect Will Fraser.
"Saracens is pleased to announce a dozen players have committed their future to the club," said a club statement.
"The following players have seen something special happening in north London and agreed new contracts: Richard Wigglesworth, Mako Vunipola, David Strettle, Eoin Sherriff, Will Fraser, Ben Spencer, Nils Mordt, Duncan Taylor, Ben Ransom and James Short.
"In addition James Johnston, tighthead prop, and Billy Vunipola, the No.8, have both signed long-term contracts with Saracens."
Comments
pierredelot1 says...
Great signings for Saracens its true. But you have to ask yourself how they can amass so many international players and yet still operate within the salary cap. Sure they'll lose Smit who I'm sure isn't on 5 bob a week and certainly more tha 10 Euros a week when he gets to Toulon, but its just looking at the squad and comparing who they have brought in. When they are home grown they can usually hold them on a a fair wage, but to entice players over, as they have done in the last few years, Hodgson, Strettle, Ashton,Wigglesworth,Tomkins,Brits etc etc they don't come cheap. have to say it looks a bit like MPs expences to me.
Sure here in France the budgets are higher with Toulouse at the top end and Toulon not too far behind, but the difference in budget between top French and top British teams is enormous.
Posted 13:38 16th January 2013
jamesliveinhope says...
@lawynd - so we are saying that you are only as good as the team you play in.
Mike Tindall is the same age as Smit and has a RWC winners medal. Carl Hayman is younger and never won at RWC level.
Stevens is one of the standout props of his generation, still relatively young in front row terms and very poorly used by England in the last world cup. His career hiatus was his own fault but probably stopped him from hitting the heights that others have managed.
Borthwick is unfortunately not cast in the image of modern lock but is an outstanding lineout technician and teams are generally better for his captaincy.
All three are exactly the type of players that the moneyed French clubs are back-filling their squads with.
@kdbricky - without re-quoting O'Sheas comments - Quins (a club you said have got their own act together) could not compete with Johnston's salary demand.
I support Bath so have no axe to grind on behalf of Wasps or Quins, and believe that players have to do what is best for themselves. There is no issue of sour grapes - it is merely a query of how, on what is mean't to be a level financial playing field, one club can seemingly attract such a stellar line-up without busting the regulatory constraints.
The truth is, unless all clubs are completely transparent about their salary bills - no-one will ever know.
Posted 09:32 16th January 2013
kdbricky says...
jamesliveinhope and others - from all I hear Saracens have got their act together in a number of areas inc fostering team spirit, having a vision for the future inc a new ground and crucially getting financial backing for the club. Explains why players sign up and leave clubs that have a question mark such as Wasps. Leicester have got things sussed over the years and Quins have done it after 'bloodgate'. As I said speculating about wage structures sound like sour grapes and cheap shots. Saracens and similar clubs have all lost talented players to big rival clubs in the past. Get over it.
Posted 21:27 15th January 2013
lawynd says...
@jameslivesinhope - Smit is a former Springbok international with a World Cup winner's medal; Borthwick and Stevens were part of an England team in the absolute doldrums. Slightly different classes of indiviual!
Posted 15:46 15th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
In the long run Quins and Wasps will be better off. Sarries model is not sustainable. In trading it's called buy high, sell low. Not clever.
Posted 15:37 15th January 2013
jamesliveinhope says...
@lawynd - stranger things have happened - where is Smit going?
@kdbricky - to be fair I'm not sure many people are begrudging the players their right to choose their employer - simply questioning how a club with only £4.26 million pa to spend on squad salaries can run a team with so many big names. Most of the regular first team are players acquired rather than developed and (whilst not necessarily all AT their prime now) would have been flagship signings at the time.
The only thing I can assume is that we are about to see an exodus of the young South African qualified players for integration into the S15 set-up in preparation for 2015.
Posted 14:22 15th January 2013
kdbricky says...
Difficult to understand some of thge naieve comments posted as players move clubs if the opportunity suits them or a club does not offer them a contract. Disappointing if you lose a good player from your club but you must respect the player's wishes not hand out sour grapes.
Posted 12:17 15th January 2013
lawynd says...
@jameslivesinhope - you really think a French club are going to be interested in Borthwick or Stevens? Behave! ;)
Posted 10:54 15th January 2013
jamesliveinhope says...
@lawynhd - "Unfortunately, given the constraints of the salary cap, we were unable to meet his financial expectations so he has decided to move on at the end of the current season but I know he will give his all to go out on a high from the club that has become his extended family and means a great deal to him." Direct quote from Conor O'Shea on the AP website
So Quins can't afford to keep Johnson - I agree that the home grown guys' incomes will grow with their development (at renewal time) but Tomkins and the second Vunipola have gone with the money.
As did Stevens and Borthwick, I cannot believe that players with retirement plans now in view are likely to take a paycut when the French would employ them at a stroke, probably match their present money and prolong careers with reduced playing hours.
Posted 10:28 15th January 2013
lawynd says...
All those shouting, "BUT...SALARY CAP!" haven't considered the number of players probably leaving, nor that some of the stalwarts who may be remaining (Borthwick, Stevens) may take pay cuts to help fund the new arrivals; rugby isn't like football, it's still a squad effort, even in this regard. Also, it's unlikely that some of the players mentioned, assumed to be on massive salaries, actually are. I highly doubt that Farrell, Tomkins and either of the Vunipola's are yet commanding top salaries.
Posted 09:53 15th January 2013
kdbricky says...
I see a few speculative and ill informed comments from club fans but the players made their choice and have their reasons. Apart from John Smit leaving there may be one or two others leaving Saracens or retiring hence the ability to recruit. I am sure if it was the other wat round the Quins and Wasps supporters would be delighted if they attracted big name signings from other clubs.
Posted 09:05 15th January 2013
Tesh says...
GODDAMMIT!!!!
Bear in mind they're losing Smit, whereas we kept Evans, so it doesn't seem tooo fishy to me.
It's just pretty crippling news to Quins the more I think about it. Buggeration
Posted 01:31 15th January 2013
jimbo79 says...
In response to boksmashoffice, Farrell, Wyles, Short, Kruis, Saull, Fraser, Wray, Powell, George, Spencer, Taylor are all regular first team players that came through the ranks. So is a nonsense to say Sarries are a Man City and are buying a title.
Posted 23:09 14th January 2013
simojukes says...
i wonder whether Saracens have found a loop hole in the salary cap...
maybe they are paying very small amounts in terms of the actual salary, but of paying the players "bonuses" or giving them "rewards" for good performances. if this is the case, then it is an absolute joke, and shows that the salary cap needs to just be binned. otherwise something needs to be done. Bath have a billionaire owner, if he was allowed to splash the cash more, then he would!
or maybe saracens have a very "creative" accountant, does anyone know if Jimmy Carr is a fan?
Posted 21:26 14th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Borthwick and Stephens are perhaps on the way out. Perhaps a few South Africans to Toulon. And a cull. Very suprised at a player leaving Quins or Wasps right now for Sarries.
Posted 20:59 14th January 2013
GCP_JONES says...
Its great to read about a transfer of players and not having to see the dreaded word TOULON.
Posted 20:47 14th January 2013
TVaddict says...
For those talking about the salary cap I'd imagine that Du Plessis and Brown/Joubert will be moving on considering who they're bring in. Plus remember Smit is already set to leave and that has probably freed up a lot of capital.
Posted 19:48 14th January 2013
NHsaints says...
Surely now Saracens must be either exceeding the salary cap or letting some big name players go? Smit's out but they've still got Farrel, Hodgson, Stevens, Ashton, Goode, Vunipola (the one coming in), JJ (coming in), Brown, Burger, Brits and Strettle to pay on top of the rest of a pretty solid squad...how on earth can they afford that?
Posted 19:31 14th January 2013
Bristolquin says...
Since they out competed French clubs for Johnstons signature, how on Earth can they keep within the salary cap?
Posted 18:43 14th January 2013
jamesliveinhope says...
And the salary cap?? not sour grapes you understand, I fully expect the club I support to invest heavily for next term but how can they afford these guys based on the limited sums that they are allowed to spend.
Who are we looking at now? Strettle, Stevens, Ashton, Wigglesworth, Farrell, Barritt, Hodgson, Brits, Borthwick, Tomkins, Vunipola (x2) Brown all at their prime or recruited at their prime - surely someone will have to go.
Posted 18:25 14th January 2013