News

Ex-playing trio to coach Saracens

May 19 2008

Saracens boss Eddie Jones has unveiled a fresh coaching team for his debut season, with former players Alex Sanderson, Paul Gustard and Cobus Visagie named in a youthful set-up.

And the former Saracens playing trio could also be joined by fellow stalwart Richard Hill as Director of Rugby Jones hinted at a possible opening for the England World Cup winner.

Injury-victim Sanderson returns as Forwards Coach with Adrian Kennedy moving on to take up the role of Head Coach with Taranaki in New Zealand.

Having identified the 28-year old's potential as a coach, Saracens have supported Sanderson's development in the past two years, which included spending the 2007 Super 14 season with Jones at Queensland Reds and more recent RFU work.

Gustard joins the backroom team as a Skills Coach after an eleven-year career as a professional with Leicester Tigers, London Irish and Saracens before announcing his retirement as a player a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, South African prop Visagie will have a role as player coach where he will be able to pass on his knowledge, while also continuing to be available to play in the club's domestic and European campaigns next season.

Finally, Australian Jones announced one further change to his backroom team with Richard Graham promoted to the role of Coaching Co-ordinator.

"Alan (Gaffney) has done an excellent job in the development of the club in the past two years and has provided stability and consistency," said Jones.

"Saracens have also developed their own distinct style of play under Alan and he has put in place a great platform on which we can build.

"Now we have to take that forward and we've put in place a coaching team that I believe can do just that.

"As Alan and I have known and worked with each other for many years, the transition period has been seamless and now I'm looking forward to starting work with the new coaching team and also the players.

"Alex Sanderson was an international forward with England and while his playing career was cut short, he has developed into an excellent coach in the past two years with the support of Saracens and through his own hard work with Queensland and England U18s.

"Paul Gustard has had a terrific career in rugby and has shown he has the temperament, knowledge and ability to develop into a good coach and his appointment along with that of Sanderson is not just exciting for Saracens, but also for the English game to have homegrown coaches coming through the system.

"Cobus Visagie has shown throughout his career that he is one of the best exponents of the scrum in the world game and that experience and technical knowledge will be invaluable to the club both on and off the pitch as he will continue to have a playing role.

"We are also in discussions with Richard Hill about him playing a role in the development of our young players. Talks are progressing well but nothing has been finalised."