Sarries suffer Jack blow
October 22 2008
Saracens have been dealt a blow ahead of Sunday's EDF Energy Cup clash against Northampton with the news that former All Black Chris Jack has been ruled out for six to eight weeks with knee ligament damage.
The back row picked up the injury in the second half of Sarries' 35-12 European Challenge Cup victory against Viadana in Italy on Saturday.
However, Saracens have been boosted by the news that openside flanker David Seymour is now back fully fit after a knee injury and available for selection this weekend.
Saracens will also have three new signings officially join the squad next week with South African pair Wikus Van Heerden and Brad Barritt arriving in the UK after going head to head for the Blue Bulls and the Sharks respectively in this weekend's Currie Cup final.
Back row Van Heerden, 29, is in the Bulls starting line-up for Saturday's final in Durban while Barritt has been a regular for the Sharks throughout the tournament with the 22-year-old playing at inside centre and fly-half. Both join up with the Saracens squad on Tuesday.
Ben Jacobs has also arrived in the UK having completed his move from the NSW Waratahs. The 26-year-old old arrived on Tuesday and although Sunday's game against the Saints comes too early for him, it is hoped he will be available against Bristol the following week.
"The news about Chris Jack is very disappointing, but it's just something we have to deal with," said Director of Rugby Eddie Jones.
"But it's good to have David Seymour back and available. He's returned two weeks ahead of schedule from pretty much the same injury that Chris has suffered.
Another player to return to the Saracens squad this week is second row Tom Ryder having completed his loan spell in New Zealand with Taranaki.
"Tom is in pretty good shape and has come back to us full of enthusiasm and really thrown himself into training this week," added Jones.
"He's another player who is available for selection this weekend for what is a very important match against the Saints. We've created a bit of momentum in the past few weeks and we want to carry that on."
In other injury news, hooker Andy Kyriacou is now back in full training and could feature in an A-team fixture next week