Saracens name two new coaches including a ‘next level’ URC recruit from Wales after they were ‘blown away by his rugby intellect’
Saracens boss Mark McCall
Saracens have dipped into the United Rugby Championship to recruit Kevin Sorrell’s successor as attack coach at the English Premiership club.
The long-serving Sorrell exited last May after a 30-year coaching and playing stint with the Londoners, and Mark McCall has now turned to Dai Flanagan, the ex-Dragons boss.
It was last November when the Welshman exited Rodney Parade with immediate effect after the Dragons endured their latest underwhelming start to a season.
However, he will now return to coaching having secured a role at Saracens, who have also recruited Frenchman Vincent Giacobbi as their head of strength and conditioning, working closely alongside Tom Sherriff, the head of athletic performance.
‘Blown away by his rugby intellect and his obvious human qualities…’
The recruitment is a development that Saracens hope can help them bounce back from a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, where they uncharacteristically failed to make the Premiership play-offs and made an early Champions Cup exit.
Director of rugby McCall said: “We are delighted Dai has agreed to join our coaching team. Everyone who has previously worked with him spoke highly of his ability to bring the best out of people, and in the conversations we had with him, we were blown away by his rugby intellect and his obvious human qualities.
“Dai will bring a new perspective, new ideas, and we believe he will take our attack to the next level.
“We are thrilled to welcome Vinny back to the club. He has gained invaluable experience leading performance programmes at both Castres and Clermont and will return with a fresh perspective and outlook. We are excited to see where his energy and drive can take us.”
Flanagan has high hopes for his attack coach role. “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Saracens, a club I have admired and followed for a long time,” he enthused.
“The opportunity to come and work in the English Premiership alongside a talented and driven coaching and playing squad is incredibly exciting.
“This is a great opportunity for me to continue my coaching journey and work at an ambitious club that are looking to build on that successful legacy in the seasons to come.
“I’ve spoken to Mark and Joe (Shaw) at length about the club’s plans and the way they want to play. I cannot wait to get started, connect with our fanbase, and help us develop and play a brand of rugby that will excite our supporters at the StoneX Stadium.”
