Saracens vs Northampton Saints

SARACENS
OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
VS NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
ISSUE 04 | £4
Juan Martin
Gonzalez
SAT 2 DEC | KO 16:30 | STONEX STADIUM

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5
THE LINE-UP V
07 NEIL GOLDING
08 CAPTAIN’S COLUMN
SARACENS LTD
Stonex Stadium
Greenlands Lane, Hendon NW4 1RL
0203 675 7200
www.saracens.com
@Saracens
@SaracensWomen
@SaracensMavs
Saracens Official
@saracensofficial
@saracenswomen
@saracensmavericks
@saracensofficial
CREDITS
Editor: Oli Shapley
Contributors: Matt Impey, Getty Images,
Rob Cole, Harry Scott-Munro, Jonathan
Browne, Richard Hope, Emma Wilson
Printed by Stephens & George
Produced by Ignition Sports Media
www.ignitionsportsmedia.com
lee.berry@ignitionsportsmedia.com
Design: Julian Tredinnick
8
30
38
12 THE BIG PICTURE
16 SCENE SETTER
18 CLUB NEWS
22 THE RUN IN
26 THE SHOWDOWN 4
30 THE OPPOSITION
32 FIVE TO WATCH
48 A TO Z
50 JUNIOR SARRIES
52 PLAYER PROIFILES
60 SARACENS WOMEN
70 MAVERICKS
72 SARACENS HIGH SCHOOL
77 COMMUNITY NEWS
78 NEXT UP
80 FIXTURES AND RESULTS
82 TODAY’S TEAMS
83 LEAGUE TABLE
40 62

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CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME
NEIL
GOLDING
7
FIRST, A
VERY WARM
WELCOME
TO THE
NORTHAMPTON
SAINTS
PLAYERS,
COACHES AND
FANS.
Our matches with
Northampton are always
one of the highlights in the
calendar. Their fans are
always in great spirit and I’m
sure we’re in for a thrilling
game this afternoon.
It has been a brilliant few
weeks and the players have
done an incredible job with
five consecutive victories. The
style of play is a joy to watch
and there is real excitement
as to what can be achieved
this season.
With European rugby
returning next week there is
huge anticipation for what
is ahead. That competition
is what we pride ourselves
on and some of the best
moments in our history have
been in it.
The draw of Bulls, Connacht,
Bordeaux and Lyon is very
exciting and gives us some
huge fixtures at home as well
as some amazing away trips.
I’m sure the squad will enjoy
the challenge of facing the
Bulls away in Pretoria next
weekend. It will be a tough
start to the competition but
I know that the players thrive
on those kind of occasions
so we’re all looking forward
to seeing them on one of the
biggest stages in world rugby.
The Women had a fantastic
win over Trailfinders last
Saturday and have made
a mightily impressive start
to the season. They have
another huge game at
Harlequins today so best of
luck to them as they look to
continue their great form.
The atmosphere here last
weekend against Bristol was
one to remember and seeing
the sold out signs go up is
always pleasing! We’d love
to encourage all Seasonal
Members to make sure their
seats are used, so if you
can’t attend then filling the
seat with a friend or family
member would be great!
I’m sure it will be another
great day today, enjoy the
game!
Neil

CAPTAIN’S COLUMN
OWEN
FARRELL
GOOD
AFTERNOON
AND WELCOME
BACK TO
STONEX
STADIUM FOR
TODAY’S MATCH
AGAINST
NORTHAMPTON
SAINTS.
8
It has been a busy block of
matches in the Premiership
and we want to make sure
we end it on a high before
our attention turns to the
European Cup.
Last weekend against Bristol
we weren’t at our best at all
but the way we overturned
a challenging first half was
really pleasing and to come
away with all five points was
huge. The way we stuck to our
gameplan was important and
that game has given us plenty
of work ons for today’s game.
Northampton come in to this
game after a big win against
Harlequins and we know
they’ll be fired up for this one.
They have quality players
throughout their team and
we are of course aware of
the threats from the likes of
Courtney and Lewis who are
real leaders for them.
We have had some incredible
matches with them over the
years and I’m sure today will
be no different in front of
another big crowd here.
The Investec Champions Cup
is back next week and we
can’t wait to get stuck in to it.
It’s a very special tournament
and we know that we’ll have
to be at our best in every
game to give ourselves a
chance of progressing.
To play away in South Africa
is always special and with the
Bulls first up it’s an amazing
fixture to start. I’ve always
wanted to play at Loftus
Versfeld and it will be a
brilliant week with everyone
so there’s a lot of excitement
in the group.
The atmosphere last week
was brilliant and it really does
make a difference to us so
hopefully we’ll give you plenty
to cheer about this afternoon!
See you all after - enjoy the
game!

9

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THE BIG PICTURE
MARO ITOJE AND BILLY VUNIPOLA CELEBRATE
THE WIN OVER BRISTOL BEARS LAST WEEK.
12

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SCENE SETTER
Buckle up, it promises to be
a game full of tries today
as two of the most fluid
attacking teams in the
Gallagher Premiership go
head-to-head. Last season
we saw 28 tries from these
two sides in three games, and
the Saints have marched to
North London full of swagger
after beating Harlequins at
home in a 36-33 thriller.
That was a result that had
their biggest crowd of the
season dancing and singing –
and they’ve also had an extra
day to prepare for today’s
game given they played on
Friday night in the last round.
A top four place is in their
sights, but they haven’t won
at the StoneX since 2019.
That was another nailbiter,
the Saints triumphing 27-25
to snatch their first win at
Sarries at the time since 2016.
No wonder, then, that their
head coach, Sam Vesty, is full
of hope. A terrific attacking
talent himself when he was in
his pomp at Leicester Tigers,
Vesty praised his side’s efforts
fo the way in which they beat
Harlequins last weekend.
“It was a cracking game,
we played well, but credit
to Harlequins. They are a
difficult side to put away,
they just kept going and it
was very close at the end,”
said Vesty.
“Our forwards did a great job
in getting some momentum
onto the ball and we showed
good intent in attack. It was
a positive game of rugby,
played by two good teams,
going absolutely hammer
and tongs at each other
and I reckon everyone in the
stadium had a great time.”
So, expect more of the same
today, especially now that
Saracens seem to have their
mojo back after a tricky start
to the season. Last weekend’s
39-31 win at home against
Bristol Bears moved Mark
McCall’s men up to second
as they made it five wins in
a row.
16

17
THEY ARE A DIFFICULT SIDE TO PUT
AWAY, THEY JUST KEPT GOING AND IT
WAS VERY CLOSE AT THE END.
With all the World Cup
players back in the side,
things are getting back to
normal, but this weekend’s
fixture is against a team
in and around the play-off
places, while the Round Nine
assignment will take the
‘Men in Black’ to Sale
Sharks, who are currently
top of the table.
The game at
the AJ Bell
Stadium will
be a repeat
of last season’s
Premiership Final
and the first major
indicator of this
campaign as to who is going
to be the team to beat. Sale
are currently three points
clear of Saracens at the top
having won six out of their
seven games.
The Sharks were at the
Twickenham Stoop facing
Harlequins last night, but let’s
not get ahead of ourselves.
Today is going to be tough
enough without worrying
about the next round!
As Jamie George said after
the win over the Bears last
weekend: “It’s been a good
few weeks for us in terms of
performances and we want
to keep building.”

CLUB
NEWS
STADIUM TOURS ARE BACK!
NOT ONLY WILL YOU GET TO SEE THESE
FANTASTIC PIECES OF MEMORABILIA
ON THE TOUR WITH OUR EXPERIENCED
GUIDES, YOU WILL ALSO GAIN ACCESS
TO AREAS OF THE STADIUM THAT ARE
NOT NORMALLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
SUCH AS THE PLAYERS’ LOUNGE, THE
WEST STAND MEDIA CENTRE, HOME
CHANGING ROOMS, THE PARK AND W
CLUB LOUNGES AS WELL AS A WALK
ON THE PITCH.
Find out about the features
that make the home of
Saracens one of the most
sustainable stadiums in the
UK and get the chance to
walk in Usain Bolt’s shoes on
the warm-up track from the
2012 Olympic Stadium.
How to book: You can book
online at Saracens.com or
email supporterservices@
saracens.net using Stadium
Tour as the title. Please also
state how many tickets
you want, the ages of
those attending and the
preferred date.
18
WOMEN 35TH
ANNIVERSARY
WE WILL BE CELEBRATING THE 35TH
ANNIVERSARY OF OUR WOMEN’S
TEAM THROUGHOUT THE 2023/24
SEASON.
From humble beginnings at
Bramley Road, to celebrating
the tenth season since
permanently moving to
StoneX Stadium this year, it’s
set to be a big season for the
club on and off the field.
As the oldest club in Allianz
Premiership Women’s Rugby
and one of the first women’s
sides to have taken to the
pitch, Saracens can lay claim
to being the most successful
women’s side in the country,
having won 15 league titles
and 10 cup titles, as well as
producing a huge amount
of world-class players and
people throughout the years.
Scan above to find out more!
SARACENS WOMEN
ANNOUNCE EXTENSION
OF PARTNERSHIP WITH
CAVENDISH BROOKE
THE FINANCIAL PLANNING
CONSULTANTS WILL NOW ENTER
THEIR FIFTH SEASON SUPPORTING
SARACENS WOMEN, WITH THEIR
BRANDING ON SHOW ALL AROUND
STONEX STADIUM AS WELL AS ON
THE KIT.
The long-standing
relationship was one of the
first specific partnerships for
the Women’s side, and during
that time they have enjoyed
huge success with three
Allianz Premier 15s titles.

19
INJURY UPDATE
BEN EARL
Damaged his
Meniscus, has
had surgery and
is looking to return
in around six to
eight weeks.
ALEX LOZOWSKI
Has suffered an
ACL injury, will have
surgery to determine
the severity.
CALLUM HUNTER-HILL
Has had surgery
and is expected to
return in around four
months.
Cavendish Brooke is a
traditional, forward-thinking
firm which has earned a solid
reputation in the market
place for providing Personal
and Corporate financial
services.
Lucy Englander, Commercial
Director at Saracens
is delighted to see the
partnership continue once
again.
“We are thrilled to have
Cavendish Brooke renew
their partnership for the
fifth season with Saracens
Women. This renewal is
testament to Cavendish
Brooke’s continued support
of our Women’s rugby team
and their executive decision
to only focus on Saracens
Women has led the way for
other brands to support our
women’s teams. Nigel, Cindy
and their brilliant team at
Cavendish Brooke are such
a pleasure to work with and
we thank them for their
continued support!”
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With 23 places in your squad
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sides to play for your team
as you attempt to beat
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From your squad, pick a
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determine how many points
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You’ll also have the chance to
make some transfers over the
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THE RUN IN
WANT TO
SECURE YOUR
SEAT AT STONEX
STADIUM FOR
THE BUSINESS
END OF THE
SEASON? WE’RE
EXCITED TO BE
LAUNCHING
A LIMITED
NUMBER OF OUR
BRAND NEW
MEMBERSHIP,
‘THE RUN IN’!
22
The new Membership will
make sure you’re present for
the run in as the Men in Black
look to go back-to-back in
the Gallagher Premiership,
and this new offering will
ensure you’re in the heart of
the action for those crucial
matches.
Included in the Membership
will be our huge blockbuster
clash with Leinster in
February, our Premiership
matches against Exeter
and Gloucester, the crucial
Investec Champions Cup
match against Lyon, and
if that wasn’t enough you
will also get a ticket for The
Showdown 4 in Association
with City Index at Tottenham
Hotspur Stadium!
As well as the tickets, you will
also receive many benefits
of a Seasonal Member such
as invitations to exclusive
Member Events throughout
2024 which will include
insights from players and
coaches.
You will get a one-time 10%
discount to use on all of your
favourite merchandise on
the online shop, and exclusive
offers from our club sponsors
and partners.
Finally, you will be given
priority access to tickets for
the rematch of the 2023
Premiership Final against
Sale Sharks at StoneX in May,
and if Sarries progress to any
knockout fixtures at home
you will be at the front of the
queue!
This is a great way to bring
friends and family along to
StoneX for what is always an
exciting time of the season,
and with sell-outs expected
for these bumper games this
is your chance to make sure
you don’t miss a minute.
Prices start from just £130
which works out at only £26
per game, making it incredible
value for those crucial games
at the business end of the
campaign with so much at
stake.
Don’t miss out, register your
interest by scanning the QR
code below to be at the front
of the queue when they come
on sale!

23
MATCHES INCLUDED:
SARACENS MEN VS LYON
Saturday 20th January - 20:00
SARACENS MEN VS EXETER CHIEFS
Saturday 27th January - 16:30
SARACENS MEN VS LEINSTER RUGBY
Friday 23rd February - 19:30
SARACENS MEN VS HARLEQUINS
Saturday 23rd March - 15:05
(Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
SARACENS MEN VS GLOUCESTER RUGBY
Saturday 20th April - KO TBC

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Company Number: SC108909. FP900-2022a Exp 15.06.2023 | ARTEMEA-6028

THE SHOWDOWN 4
THE
SHOWDOWN
IS BACK!
BIGGER AND
BETTER THAN
EVER BEFORE!
26

27
Saracens return to the epic Tottenham Hotspur
Stadium to take on Harlequins in a repeat of last
season’s London derby in the Gallagher Premiership.
Secure your seat without delay for what promises to
be another history-making day at Tottenham.
AN EXPERIENCE
LIKE NO OTHER
55,109 spectators joined us at Tottenham Hotspur
Stadium for The Showdown 3. Sell out Spurs for The
Showdown 4? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.
• The Premiership’s BIGGEST RUGBY PARTY
• London’s rugby derby
• World-class stadium experience
OVER 5 HOURS OF ELECTRIC ENTERTAINMENT
The Showdown’s entertainment pre, during and post
match is second-to-none. - Join us for a jam-packed
afternoon of fireworks, music, elite sport & family
fun!
• LIVE MUSIC
• BIG SCREEN FUN & GAMES
•PYRO, FLAMES & FIREWORKS!
FOOD AND DRINK
There are unlimited options of food & drink available
at Spurs Stadium. The 60+ food & drink outlets serve
a wide range of delicious food, taking inspiration
from London’s vibrant street food market scene – a
mixture of diversity & fan favourites!
Don’t forget to check out the Goal Line Bar – the
longest bar in Europe!
Book your tickets on Saracens.com now!

SARACENS REBRANDS ROW ‘R’ TO ‘RO’ AS IT
CALLS FOR MORE DONORS WITH BLACK HERITAGE
TO HELP FIGHT SICKLE CELL DISORDER
Saracens Rugby Club has
announced a rebrand of row
‘R’ to row ‘Ro’ at StoneX
Stadium - as it calls for more
donors with the Ro subtype
to help fight sickle cell
disorder in the UK.
The disorder currently
affects around 17,500
people across the country,
primarily impacting those
with African and Caribbean
heritage. Ro - a variation of
the RH positive blood type -
is vital in treating sickle cell
and also more commonly
found in those from black
heritage communities. With
growing demand meaning
the NHS currently needs
12,000 more Black heritage
donors a year in the UK,
Saracens has partnered
with Sickle Cell Society, an
organisation dedicated to
supporting individuals and
families affected by sickle cell
disorder, in a bold move that
it hopes will encourage more
people to come forward and
register to donate.
Row ‘Ro’, which will be
unveiled on Saturday 4th
November when Saracens
take on the Leicester Tigers
at home, will see every seat
in the row rebranded to the
colour red, representing the
rare 'Ro' subtype. The ‘Blood
From a StoneX’ campaign will
see each seat feature a QR
code that allows the crowd
to both donate to Sickle Cell
Society and, if applicable,
sign up to be a blood donor
through the NHS.
Throughout the season, the
Saracens website will also
undergo a transformation,
making it easy for supporters
to register as donors. When
fans hover over the row
Ro seats on the stadium's
virtual map, they will find
information about the
campaign and instructions on
how to donate - with another
option to do so presented at
checkout.
In further support and
spearheaded by England
powerhouse Maro Itoje,
Saracens and StoneX have
created an emotive film
with key players across the
men's and women's rugby
teams and the Mavericks
netball team. The film
stands at the heart of the
campaign, highlighting the
urgency for increased blood
donations to help treat sickle
cell disorder. All the players
involved are from African
& Caribbean heritage and
spoke about the realities
that these communities
face in not having enough
blood donations to treat
the disorder. StoneX have
additionally committed to
contributing £2,000 towards
the support of sickle cell
disorder for each try that
the Saracens team scores
during their upcoming fixture
against Leicester Tigers.
Demand for Ro is increasing
by 10-15% each year, however
only 2% of regular donors
have the Ro subtype, meaning
there is a gap between the
number of donations the
NHS collects and the amount
of Ro blood that hospitals
need. Sickle Cell Society has
been working closely with
NHS Blood and Transplant
to help bring in more donors
28

29
and Saracens hopes to boost
this even further through its
season-long partnership with
the charity.
Together, they will raise
awareness of the disorder
and educate sports fans
about the pressing need for
increased blood donations.
The collaboration is a
sustained commitment by
both parties, with Sickle
Cell Society featuring in
matchday programmes,
hosting stalls at Saracens
games for fans to learn more
about the disorder, being
interviewed at halftime to
explain the work the charity
does.
NHS Blood and Transplant
has also been consulted since
the onset and supported
Saracens and StoneX Group
with visits to the stadium to
run its ‘What’s Your Blood
Type’ initiative, which told
players their likely blood
type and allowed nurses to
educate them on how to
register as a new blood donor.
Through a quick finger prick
blood test, this initiative is
used across the UK to engage
more people to sign up as
donors and help identify who
may have vital blood like Ro
subtype.
Maro Itoje, Men’s Rugby
Player & Premiership Winner
with Saracens, commented,
“I have personal experience
with sickle cell, with some
of my friends and family
living with the disorder. I,
therefore, understand the
significance of the Ro subtype
in our community and how
important it is for those
with African and Caribbean
heritage to donate blood.
This is not something that a
rugby club usually does, so I’m
proud to be part of one that
is pushing boundaries to help
people. I hope to encourage
more blood donors from my
community to give those
living with the disorder a
better quality of life.”
John James OBE, CEO, Sickle
Cell Society, said, “Enabling
more people to be aware of
sickle cell disorder is essential
in tackling the challenges that
people with the condition
face. This creative and
unprecedented partnership
with Saracens and Stone
X will support us to reach
new audiences and, crucially,
highlight the life-saving
importance of increasing
the numbers of African and
Caribbean heritage people
regularly donating blood.”
Philip Smith, CEO, EMEA
at StoneX Group Inc.,
commented, “It is not often
that you can physically
change a stadium to help
increase awareness for such a
good cause, so we were fully
onboard with the idea from
the first discussion. StoneX
is committed to breaking
down information barriers
and helping to ensure that
an understanding of SCD
was given access to a wider
audience. We have had a
successful partnership with
the Saracens since 2021, with
this campaign being one that
StoneX is most proud of and
we look forward to driving
more people to donate
blood throughout the whole
season.”

30

THERE WAS NO KEEPING THE SAINTS DOWN AFTER THEY CRASHED TO
DEFEAT ON ‘DERBY DAY’ AGAINST LEICESTER TIGERS. THEY PICKED THEMSELVES
UP, DUSTED THEMSELVES DOWN AND CAME OUR FIGHTING AGAINST HARLEQUINS
LAST WEEK, WINNING A THRILLER AT A PACKED FRANKLIN’S GARDENS 36-33.
YOU CAN’T KEEP A GOOD TEAM DOWN FOR LONG!
That win moved them level
on points with Quins in sixth
place, well within striking
range of the top four, which
is a mere point away. That’s
why today’s shoot-out
against them is so important.
A win could help the Saints
march further up the table,
while a home triumph can put
clear daylight between the
two clubs.
This season Saints have relied
on Alex Coles and Tom James
to provide the link play, while
Finn Smith has been deadly
accurate with his boot with
an 80% + success rate off
the kicking tee. Add in deadly
England forwards Courtney
Lawes and Lewis Ludlam, if
fit, and all the ingredients are
there for them to more than
match last season’s top four
finish.
There were three great
contests between the two
clubs’ last season. At the
StoneX Stadium, it took a
74th minute try rom Ben Earl
and a 78th minute effort
from Elliot Daly, along with
two conversions, to drive the
‘Men in Black’ to a 45-39 win.
It was some game! Saints
were on fire, racing into a
39-17 lead in less than an
hour, including a hat-trick of
tries from Fraser Dingwall,
before an almighty fightback
squeezed out a victory for
Sarries. Dingwall scored
again in the return at The
Gardens as Saints earned
revenge with a 38-29 triumph
in another humdinger of a
game.
The third, and decisive, fixture
was back at the StoneX in the
play-off semi-final. This time
Mark McCall’s men won 38-15
to reach the final. Expect
tries today from both sides,
because those three games
last season featured 28 tries
– 15 from Sarries and 13 from
Saints.
31
It was tries that made the
difference for them last week
in their big win over Quins,
two of which came from
their fit-again wing Ollie
Sleightholme.
Sam Vesty, who works in
tandem with Phil Dowson
on the coaching front at
Saints, has done a great
job in improving the team’s
attacking threat and this
season they are averaging
three per game. After a tough
start to the season, with
narrow back-to-back defeats
to Sale Sharks (20-15) and
Bristol Bears (33-27), they
have won four of their last
five outings.
Look out for Fijian hooker
Sam Matavesi, a real firecracker
around the field,
England scrum half Alex
Mitchell and England flanker
Tom Pearson. Today is not a
day to blink – you might miss
something!

5TO
WATCH
32
COURTNEY LAWES
Position: Back row / Lock
DOB: 23.02.1989 (34)
Ht: 2.01m / 6’ 7”
Wt: 115kg / 18st 2lb
Honours: England (105) / Lions (5)
Quit international rugby at the
end of the World Cup in France
after playing 106 times for his
country, including 16 times at four
World Cups. With 270+ games and
counting for Saints since making his
debut in National League 1 way back
in 2007, he has become one of the
most famous players in the history
of his club. Equally at home in the
second and back rows, he is a lineout
specialist, hard-hitting defender
and a talisman for his teammates.
He helped his side lift the European
Challenge Cup in 2009 and the LV=
Cup in 2010. A Heineken Champions
Cup final followed in 2011 before
he was instrumental in guiding the
Saints to a first Premiership title in
2014 and a second Challenge Cup
trophy. His England debut came
against Australia in November 2009.
Since then he has claimed three Six
Nations titles and a Grand Slam. He
also captained England throughout
the 2021-22 season and has won five
Test caps for the British & Irish Lions
on two tours.
LEWIS LUDLAM
Position: Back row
DOB: 08.12.1995 (27)
Ht: 1.90 m / 6’ 3”
Wt: 111kg / 17st 7lb
Honours: England (25)
‘Mr Consistency’ in the back
row for Saints, Ludlam was
named a co-captain of the
Club alongside Alex Waller in
November 2020, before being
handed the captain’s armband
on his own in 2021/22. He
picked up an ankle injury last
week, but was hoping to
recover in time to play today.
He brought up a century of
appearances for the club
on the day they made the
Premiership semi-finals two
seasons ago. Brave, combative
and highly mobile, he makes a
dent with the ball in his hands
and in attackers when he is
defending. He has played for
England right through the age
grades and on to senior level.
He made four appearances
at the 2019 Rugby World Cup
in Japan and a further four in
France this season.

33
ALEX MITCHELL
Position: Scrum Half
DOB: 25.05.1997 (26)
Ht: 1.77m / 5’ 10”
Wt: 84 kg / 13st 3lbs
Honours: England (11)
A graduate of the Saints
academy, he won England
honours at U16, 17, 18 and
20 levels before playing for
an England XV against the
Barbarians in an uncapped
match at Twickenham. He then
graduated into Eddie Jones’
senior side in the Autumn
Nations Series in 2021, marking
his debut with a try against
Tonga. Now in his eighth
season at Franklin’s Gardens,
he is one of the first names on
the team sheet and a constant
threat at the heels of his
powerful pack. He played for
England at the Rugby World
Cup in France and is now the
incumbent No 9 in his national
team. He was a try scoffer in
last weekend’s home win over
Harlequins.
OLLIE SLEIGHTHOLME
Position: Wing
DOB: 13.04.2000 (23)
Ht: 1.81m / 6’ 0”
Wt: 89kg / 14st 0lb
Honours: England U20
A real chip off the old block, he
has followed his famous father,
Jon, into the Saints set-up.
Next stop is to join him as a
senior England international.
Jon played 12 times for
England and was a prolific try
scored for Saints and Bath.
Ollie has so far won four caps
at England U18 level and 10 for
the U20 team. He also helped
England to reach the final
of the 2017 Commonwealth
Youth Games in the Bahamas.
His Northampton debut came
in a Premiership Rugby Cup
match against Bristol Bears
on 27 October 2018, and he
made his Premiership debut
three weeks later, scoring his
first Saints try 14 seconds
after coming on as a secondhalf
replacement against
Wasps. He warmed up for
this weekend with two tries
against Harlequins.
TOM PEARSON
Position: Back Row
DOB: 26.10.1999 (24)
Ht: 1.90m / 6’ 3”
Wt: 113kg / 17st 13lb
Honours: England (1)
Made his Premiership
breakthrough at London Irish
after joining them from Cardiff
Met University. He had been
in the Gloucester Academy
before going to university but
was released. When the Exiles
folded last season, he joined
Northampton Saints and has
started six games already
this season. He won his first
England cap in the World Cup
warm-up fixture against Wales
in Cardiff but didn’t make the
squad for France. A strong
ball carrier and hard-hitting
defender, he is also a useful
line-out option. Getting better
with every game he plays at
Saints.

SARACENS SUPPORTERS
ASSOCIATION (SSA)
E Saracens Supporters Association
D @sarriessupport
Q ssa_racens
Good afternoon everyone
from all of us in the SSA,
and a welcome – one much
warmer than the weather
- back to StoneX for the
second time in seven days!
As always, we’d like to extend
a big hello and welcome
to the Saints’ players and
staff, plus of course their
supporters who will have
made the fairly short hop
down the M1 in large numbers
for what promises to be an
exciting encounter; last time
out on Friday 24th November
Courtney Lawes and co.
secured a home victory over
our old rivals Quins 36-33
and although at the time of
writing they currently sit 6th
in the Gallagher Premiership
table Saints are only six
points adrift of table-toppers
Sale Sharks and just three
points behind Sarries, so
there’s everything to play for
today in what’s shaping up
to be a highly competitive
league season!
36
ROUND-UP
Last week, of course, Sarries
Men ran in seven tries to beat
Bristol Bears 39-31 in chilly
conditions here at StoneX
with Owen Farrell among
the scorers alongside Alex
Lewington and Jamie with
a brace each, Tom Willis
and Billy also weighing in to
hold off the challenge of a
high-quality Bears side; Max
Malins, who we’re sure must
have found it strange to be
playing against Sarries, failed
to score although he worked
very hard to make something
happen!
A little later that same
afternoon, Sarries Women
continued their very strong
start to the APWR season
with a thumping 18-52
over league newcomers
Trailfinders Women at
Trailfinders Sports club – Ella
Wyrwas got things started
with a score after only 3
minutes and, as the scoreline
clearly demonstrates, Sarries
dominated for most of
the game. Ella, it has been
announced in the last few
days, has been awarded
a Red Roses contract – a
deserved reward for her
string of impressive displays
in the white shirt and the
SSA would like to offer Ella
our congratulations on this
fantastic news!!
This week’s round of applause
goes to our own David
Loxham who managed
to be at both the Men’s
and Women’s games last
Saturday – now that’s what
we call going “above and
beyond” in the Sarries cause…
Today, Sarries Women pay
a visit to Twickenham Stoop
for what will as always be
an exciting encounter with
our old friends Harlequins
and it goes without saying
that our players and the
coaching team will be looking
to continue Sarries’ winning
run; at the time of writing
this game is scheduled to
kick off at 3pm so there will
be an excellent opportunity
to follow the progress of
this game prior to the Men’s
match. Everything crossed
that a similar result to the
recent men’s game can be
achieved - or bettered!!
NEXT UP
Next up for the Men, on 9nd
December will be the first
Investec Champions League
game of the season and what
an intriguing encounter it will
be as Sarries make the long
journey to South Africa to
take on the Vodacom Bulls at
the famous Loftus Versfeld
Stadium – we know that a
contingent of Sarries fans,
with representation from the

37
SSA, will be there to cheer the
team on!
Very sadly indeed, the Women
do not have a fixture next
week as they would have been
playing Worcester Warriors
Women at StoneX, but will
next be in action in an away
game at Welford Road where
they will face the other APWR
newcomers, Leicester Tigers
Women, on 16th December.
Looking forward a little, can
we just remind you that the
nearest fixture at StoneX
to Christmas Day will be
the Women’s game against
Bristol Bears Women on
Saturday 23rd December –
and wouldn’t it be fantastic
if this could be a sell-out???
Tickets are available and
it really will be quite an
occasion!!!
EVENTS
As you all know, the legendary
Quiz Night hosted as always
by the SSA, took place on
Wednesday 29th November;
we went to press before
this marvellous event but
be assured that a full report
and photos will be in the
programme for the Connacht
game on 16th December
although ahead of that
we will have ensured full
coverage has been given on
our social media platforms!!!
COME AND SEE US…
For Saints fans who may
be reading this, do please
also come and say ‘hello’ to
the Saracens Supporters
Association at our base
under what we fondly call our
gazebo which I located near
the North Stand and right by
The Oasis. You can’t miss us
- there’s always a large group
in attendance, chatting,
having a drink together,
with, as ever, our Matchday
Team working hard to help
with membership enquiries,
members’ badge collections
and away ticket enquiries.
We’d love to see you and
share thoughts on today’s
game, how the season’s going
so far and what’s happening
in the rugby world. It goes
without saying, we’d love to
see our fellow Sarries fans
too!!
Just a reminder for all
visitors, though:
We will be at the gazebo until
30 minutes before kick-off
and no later: it’s important
to remember that the SSA
Matchday Team is staffed
entirely by volunteers who are
fans like everyone else so we
also need time to charge our
glasses, meet up with friends,
get to our seats or favourite
standing spot, and greet the
players as they run out from
the tunnel, so if you do have
any membership, ticketing or
badge queries please come
and see us in good time..
ABOUT THE SSA…
If you do come to see us at
the gazebo and you are not
an SSA member, why not join?
Membership is £10/season or
£5 for juniors. In addition to
social events and organising
ticket allocations for away
events, we arrange meet
ups at away games and we
have our monthly newsletter
with all sorts of interesting
articles!
We also have an SSA
representative on the Club’s
Supporters’ Forum, Nigel
Eaton. Members with points
to raise can contact him via
email at committee.ssa@
outlook.com or in person on
match days at the gazebo.
For other news, check
out our website (www.
saracenssupporters.org) and
our social media channels:
Saracens Supporters
Association on Facebook; @
sarriessupport on Twitter and
ssa_racens on Instagram!
And finally, don’t forget to
listen to the SSA Fezcast!
Have a great afternoon,
everyone!
#SarriesFamily

IN THIS WEEK . . .
24 YEARS AGO
European rugby returns next
week with Saracens heading
to South Africa to take on
the Vodacom Bulls at one
of the world’s most iconic
stadia, Loftus Versfeld in
Pretoria. It is the opening
game in Pool 1 in what is now
the Investec Champions Cup,
but back in the day it was the
Heineken Cup.
The format may have
changed in recent seasons
but some of the greatest
days in the club’s history
have come in European
competition with those
victories in 2016 in Lyon,
2017 in Edinburgh and 2019
in Newcastle. Can the ‘Class
of ‘23’ reach a fifth final this
season?
After their trip to South
Africa, Round 2 sees a home
clash with Connacht on 16
December. The New Year will
bring back-to-back French
assignments with a trip to
Bordeaux-Begles and then a
home game against Lyon.
So, ahead of the game
against Connacht, we
thought we’d take you back
to what was only the second
home game played by the
‘Men in Black’ in the toptier
of Europe, and the first
against Irish opposition in
the then Heineken Cup. It
was none other than mighty
Munster.
Having kicked-off their Pool
4 campaign with a 19-16
defeat at Colomiers, the first
home fixture in the Heineken
Cup for the club was at
Vicarage Road on Sunday,
28 November. Munster had
kicked off with a 32-10 home
win over Pontypridd and
4,000 fans turned up in
Watford to watch.
1999-2000 HEINEKEN CUP:
SARACENS 34
35 MUNSTER 35
Pool 4 – Round 2: Sunday, 28
November
Scorers: Saracens: Tries: R
Grau, N Walshe, J Thomson;
Cons: M Mapletoft, T Lacroix;
Pens: T Lacroix 5. Munster:
Tries: K Keane, M Mullins, A
Foley, J Staunton; Cons: R
O’Gara 3; Pens: R O’Gara 3
Referee: Didier Mene (France)
It was a thriller in every
sense, very much in keeping
with the spirit of those
early, experimental years in
European competition. You
could hardly put a cigarette
paper between the top
two teams in Pool 4 that
season, with the return leg
at a packed Thomond Park
ending up in a 31-30 victory
for the Munstermen thanks
to a touchline conversion
from you know who – Ronan
O’Gara!
They were two epic
encounters, with the return
game in Limerick being the
event that sparked the use of
‘Stand Up and Fight’ as the
Munster team anthem. It was
team manager Brian O’Brien
who introduced the song to
the players as they shared a
beer with Francois Pienaar’s
men after one off the great
Euro classics. Now it is used
ahead of all major European
occasions.
But back to that first home
game for Sarries. Munster
weren’t even playing in a
league at the time, although
38

39
their win at Vicarage Road
made it eight in a row for the
season after they had swept
all before them in winning
the Irish Inter Provincial
Championship
They may have been
thoroughly out-thought by
the ‘Men in Black’, but they
were never out-fought, in the
first half. Then they burst into
life at the start of the second,
scoring two stunning tries.
The Munstermen’s renowned
passion had flared patchily
early on and there were
isolated eruptions of violence
among the forwards. While
Saracens’ England lock,
Danny Grewcock, was
wrestling one or two of his
opposite numbers, the scrumhalf,
Nick Walshe, nipped
in, scooped up the ball as it
rolled clear of the writhing
bodies and leapt over the
scrapping players to bag
Saracens’ second try.
Their first had come in
the second minute. Mark
Mapletoft kicked deep,
Munster ran it into touch,
and from the resulting
line-out and ruck, Saracens’
Argentinian prop, Roberto
Grau, picked up and rumbled
over.
Saracens were playing
like demons at that point,
scrapping for everything, and
maybe Munster’s energies
were focused only on the
scrapping. In fact, only the
boot of their O’Gara, kept
them in touch.
Home outside half Thierry
Lacroix was also doing his
bit. His first penalty was
sandwiched by those two
tries, and he had added
another two to go with
Mapletoft’s conversion of
the Walshe touchdown. The
London side had seemingly
done a lot of the hard work by
the interval as well as having
established a cushion.
But they were not prepared
for the way the Irish side
came at them from the
restart, as skipper Francois
Pienaar admitted.
“There was one team that
came out to play in the
second half, and one that
stayed in the dressing-room.
We were the team in the
dressing- room,” he said.
The first score certainly
bore that out. Wood ripped
the ball out of Saracens’
hands and sent O’Gara
away. He shipped it on to
Mike Mullins, who fed his
centre partner, Killian Keane.
O’Gara converted, and four
minutes later Saracens were
sandbagged a second time.
Mapletoft was dispossessed
near his own line, Mullins got
a toe to the ball and won the
race to touch down. Once
again O’Gara did the honours,
his latest kick nosing Munster
ahead. Although Lacroix’s
fourth penalty restored a
Saracens advantage, which
was further increased by
Jeremy Thomson’s try and
a fifth goal from the former
French fly-half, there could
never be any certainty about
the outcome.
Munster were a raging
inferno in defence and in
attack. O’Gara landed a longrange
penalty, and Saracens
finally cracked, conceding
yet another penalty. No 8
Anthony Foley took a quick
tap to himself and plunged
over the line.
It did not matter that the
conversion was missed
because the stand-in fullback,
Jeremy Staunton,
stormed over three minutes
from time and O’Gara’s
conversion did the trick.
All Munster had to do was
hold out and that they did,
withstanding a series of
mammoth scrums close to
their line, ever aware that
Lacroix was lurking, his
right foot cocked and ready
for a drop goal attempt.
Eventually, though, the
heroic forwards won the
ball, Munster broke free and
suddenly it was all over.

40

41
THE INTERVIEW
JUAN-MARTIN
GONZALEZ
JUAN-MARTIN GONZALEZ
SPENT PART OF LAST
MONTH GEARING
HIMSELF UP TO TAKE ON
OWEN FARRELL, YET NOW
HE IS PLAYING HAPPILY
ALONGSIDE HIM.

The Argentinean back row
man started every one of
the Pumas seven games
at the recent World Cup in
France, which included the
opening pool match against
England and then the Bronze
Final in Paris. In the latter,
England were led by his new
clubmate, Farrell.
IT HAS BEEN GREAT TO PLAY A COUPLE OF
GAMES AND I WAS DELIGHTED TO SCORE
MY FIRST TRY FOR THE CLUB AGAINST
NEWCASTLE FALCONS.
It was a close shave for
England, who won 26-23 in
Paris, with Gonzalez no doubt
reflecting on the fact all the
points against his side were
scored by Saracens players.
England won the pool
encounter 27-10.
After overcoming the
disappointment of finishing
fourth, he had to head to
the StoneX Stadium and
introduce himself properly to
the players who had wrecked
his dream a few weeks
earlier. England’s points came
from tries by Ben Earl and
Theo Dan, along with 16
from the ever-reliable boot
of Farrell.
42
Gonzalez also got up close
and personal with Maro Itoje,
Jamie George and Elliot
Daly, and also played against
Wales centre Nick Tompkins
in the quarter-final. So, how
was it treating Farrell and co
as friends rather than foes?
“It was really good to play
against such a good English
team that was packed full
of Saracen players, but it
was also hard. And it was
obviously disappointing to
lose to them twice,” admitted
Saracens’ 23-year-old new
boy.
“It showed me what I could
expect when I joined the club
after the World Cup. They are
all hugely influential players
and it will be nice to have
them on my side now.”
Gonzalez is the second
big name back row man
to join the Sarries squad
for this season along with
England No 8 Tom Willis.
He has already picked up
two appearances, and two
wins, and is hungry for more.
But while he may be new to
Saracens, he certainly knows
his way around the Gallagher
Premiership.

43
The unfortunate financial
collapse of London Irish
earlier this year meant he had
to find a new club. Having
played 37 times for the Exiles
over two seasons, he had
plenty of admirers.
Director of Rugby Mark
McCall certainly didn’t hold
back when he announced the
signing in the summer: “Juan
is a player who we are very
excited about. He has shown
his ability in the Premiership
over the past couple of
seasons and we believe he
has his best rugby ahead of
him.”
Juan arrived at his new club
with his Puma teammate
Lucio Cinti in tow, and they
are following in a long line of
Argentinean players who have
played for the ‘Men in Black’
- Eduardo Bello, Emiliano
Bergamaschi, Marcelo Bosch,
Tomás de Vedia, Juan Figallo,
Roberto Grau, Francisco
Leonelli and Juan-Pablo
Socino.
“I love the fact there
have been so many great
Argentine players who have
been at Saracens before
me. It means I will have to
maintain the high standards
they have set before me,”
added Juan.
“I got a very warm
welcome when I arrived
– everyone helped me to
settle in. It has been great
to play a couple of games
and I was delighted to
score my first try for the
club against Newcastle
Falcons.
“When I was playing at
London Irish I knew that
Saracens were the best
team in the competition.
Since I’ve arrived here, I can
see why.
“The competition for places
is crazy, and that’s not just
from the internationals in the
squad. Standards are high
and I know I’ve got a fight on
my hands every week to get
the chance to play.”
Having learned his rugby
at Marista rugby club in
Mendoza, with his father
coaching him in his early days,
Juan quickly developed. He
played at the World Rugby
U20 Championships in 2019
and won the first of his now
28 caps in Romania at the
age of 20 – scoring a try in
his first 11 minutes of senior
international rugby.
He now has eight test tries to
his credit, his last won coming
at the World Cup in the 59-5
win over Chile.

45
HOSPITALITY AT SARACENS
AN EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER!
ENJOY
SARACENS
HOSPITALITY
WATCHING
SOME OF THE
BEST-KNOWN
STARS IN
WORLD RUGBY
COMPETE FOR
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PREMIERSHIP
AND EUROPEAN
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With a range of packages on
offer, there’s something to
suit all types of supporters
whether you’re looking to
entertain clients, staff or
mark a special occasion with
family and friends.
HOSPITALITY BENEFITS
• Enjoy an unforgettable
match day experience
complete with quality food
and drink choices.
• Opportunities to connect
with fellow supporters and
build new networks.
• Watch title winning rugby
from some of the finest seats
in the house.
• Access to exclusive rugby
insights and opportunities
to meet the players through
weekly player question and
answer sessions.
• A broad variety of
exceptional experiences, from
luxury formal to vibrant &
relaxed lounges
• Create lasting memories
on a one off special occasion
or as part of a welcoming
community of seasonal
members
• All delivered by a friendly
and expert team of
hospitality professionals.
Enquire today and allow us to
work with you on creating the
experience that is perfect for
YOU and your guests
Interested in hospitality
at StoneX Stadium? Email
hospitality@saracens.net to
find out more!

FOUNDATION
SARACENS
CHEER AND
DANCE
FESTIVAL
Sunday 26th November saw
the first Saracens Cheer
and Dance Festival of the
school year take place at
Wodson Park in Ware. 150
participants, aged between
5 and 13, and 300 spectators
piled into the sports hall
to watch 14 different
performances from young
people who attend Saracens
Cheer and Dance classes and
Sarries in my School sessions.
It was a fantastic day of
dance for all the participants
and for many, it was their
first experience of performing
in front of an audience. In
addition to the performance
itself, the dancers have been
working towards 10 different
46
awards throughout the term
such as the kindness award,
star of the term and many
more, the winners of which
were awarded on Sunday!
Sarries in my School and
Saracens Cheer and Dance
are two projects which
work within the school
curriculum and environment
to offer an alternative to the
mainstream sports schools
typically provide. According to
leading research, by age 14,
girls are dropping out of sport
at twice the rate of boys,
so SIMS and SCAD work to
create a love of a different
type of physical activity at
a young age, with the hope
of creating a life-long love
of the sport. SCAD offers
extra-curricular dance and
cheerleading sessions, and
SIMS delivers within the PE
curriculum within school time
to ensure the highest quality
delivery of rugby and dance.
Huge congratulations to all
the participants from Sunday
and a many thanks to all the
spectators who came along
to support! If you’d like to find
out more about SCAD classes
please email esmebillings@
saracens.net

47
SARACENS VS CONNACHT IN SUPPORT
OF SARACENS FOUNDATION
On the 16th of December, the
Saracens Foundation will be
raising money and awareness
for the charity as one of our
two matchdays this season!
We have loads of activities
going on and ways to get
involved but one of our
biggest focuses will be our
coat drive!
We would love for supporters
to bring along their old,
outgrown winter coats
which will be donated to our
participants.
These donated coats
will be distributed to our
Sporting Roots programme
participants who are in
desperate need of warm
coats this winter. Sporting
Roots is the Foundation’s
refugee project working
across three hotels in Barnet
which are currently housing
refugees from all over the
world. We deliver football,
dance, and rugby sessions to
participants, offering them
the chance to engage in some
physical activity and getting
out of their hotel rooms every
week. Refugees who are
housed in the hotels spend
all day in their rooms with
their only access to outdoor
space being the car park.
Coming to the stadium and
having professional coaching,
meeting fellow residents of
the hotel is so important to
the participant base who can
build friendships with their
neighbours and feel a bit of
normality.
Our participants range from
age 2 to 64 years old and
warm coats are in short
supply for the children and
adults alike so any donations
would be hugely appreciated!
We will be running a coat
donation and drop point at
the Connaught game as part
of our Foundation matchday.
These coats will then be taken
directly to our participants
after the game to keep them
warm this Christmas.
Look out for further details
about the drop off point but
if you have any questions
or would like to help, please
email matthewmaher@
saracens.net

With
IVAN VAN ZYL
A – Action: If you could be a
superhero, which would you
be?
Superman, although I am not
the biggest fan of heights.
Must be nice to fly wherever
you want to go.
B – Boyhood: Who was
your favourite sporting idol
growing up?
Joost van der Westhuizen
C – Childhood: What is your
favourite childhood memory?
After school playing
touchies or cricket with my
mates.
D – Dish: What’s your go-to
pre-match meal?
Penne pasta, some chicken
and avocado
E – Education: What was
your favourite subject in
school?
Business studies
48
F – Film buff: What’s your
favourite film?
Warrior
G – Groove: Who is the best
dancer in the squad?
Elliot Daly, not sure about
the best but probably the
most entertaining to watch.
H – Holiday: What’s your
favourite holiday destination?
Knysna, South Africa
I – Inside: Who is the worst
to sit beside in the dressing
room?
The boys are all good
J – Joker: Who is the funniest
in the squad?
Will have to say Elliot again
K – Kick-off: What’s your
favourite time of the day to
play a match?
I enjoy a 3 o’clock kick- off,
nothing later than 5pm.
L – Languages: How many
languages can you speak?
Two, Afrikaans and English
M – Music: Your favourite
artist and song right now?
Afrikaans artist called Appel
- Foute
N – Number: Do you have a
lucky number?
No
O – Others: What’s your
favourite sport outside of
rugby?
Golf
P – Pal: Who is your best
mate in the squad?
Well someone needs to try
and help Nick out and I have
taken that responsibility
Q – Quirky: Who has the most
interesting fashion sense?
Some boys really go for it,
but big Harvey’s fashion
sense is interesting to say
the least.

49
R – Red Carpet: Who is the
most famous contact in your
phone?
Well it will probably be one
of the rugby boys, don’t
know who is the most
famous though? Might be
Siya
S – Superstitions: Do you
have any matchday routines?
No, not particularly, I have
certain warm-ups I might
do, but if I think some
superstition is forming I
will change my routine on
purpose the next time as
I don’t want anything like
that
T – Trim: What’s the worst
haircut you’ve ever had?
Well, as my hair is getting
less and less I would think my
worst haircut is in the future
U: Under pressure: Who in the
squad would be the best in a
bad situation?
Gareth Simpson, always
seems to be in control and
very relaxed
V – Verified: How often do you
use social media?
Don’t post that often, but go
on it daily.
W – Worst fear: What are you
most scared of?
Snakes without a doubt
X – X-ray: Have you ever
broken any bones?
Recently my little finger, and
left wrist
Y – Youth: Where did you
grow up?
Pretoria, South Africa
Z – Zoo: What’s your
favourite animal?
Lion

Junior
we want to
hear from you!
Use the hashtag
#YourSaracens
with all of your matchday
pics and we’ll share the best
ones on our channels.
SARRIE THE CAMEL
If you see Sarrie around the stadium today, make
sure you stop him and send in your pictures!
A-MAZE-ING
CAN YOU HELP SARRIE MAKE IT THROUGH THE MAZE TO THE BALL?
behind
the mask
CAN YOU NAME THE PLAYER
WHO IS HIDDEN BEHIND
THE MASK?
50

SPOT THE
DIFFERENCE…
CAN YOU FIND THE SIX
DIFFERENCES IN THE PICTURES?
All
juMbLeD uP!
CAN YOU UNSCRAMBLE
THE NAMES OF THE TWO
PLAYERS BELOW?
A] TIE ELF
ALIKE PIP
51
B] STREAMING
HOPS
SPOT THE BALL
CAN YOU TELL THE POSITION OF
THE REAL BALL?
An Bn Cn Dn En
A
D
B
E
C
how did
you do?!
ANSWERS:
BEHIND THE MASK:
Owen Farrell
ALL JUMBLED UP:
A] Kapeli Pifeleti
B] Gareth Simpson
SPOT THE BALL: E

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PLAYER
SPONOSRSHIP, PLEASE EMAIL
jamesmccann@saracens.net
FOR MORE INFORMATION
PLAYER PROFILES
2023/24
For full player biographies,
please scan this QR code:
RALPH ADAMS-HALE
PROP
DOB -
Kindly sponsored by:
LADYWOLF
CONSULTING
HARVEY BEATON
PROP
DOB -
Kindly sponsored by:
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
CAMERON BOON
SECOND ROW
DOB 08/09/1999
Kindly sponsored by:
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
ANDY CHRISTIE
BACK ROW
DOB 27/03/1999
Kindly sponsored by:
TONY
DE MEL
LUCIO CINTI
CENTRE/ WING
DOB 23/02/2000
Kindly sponsored by:
NICK
SCHILD
ALEC CLAREY
PROP
DOB 08/02/1994
Kindly sponsored by:
THE SCHILD
FAMILY
SAM CREAN
PROP
DOB -
Kindly sponsored by:
CAVENDISH
BROOKE
52

53
ELLIOT DA LY
CENTRE
DOB 08/10/1992
Kindly sponsored by:
DUNCAN
SINCLAIR
THEO DAN
HOOKER
DOB 26/12/2000
Kindly sponsored by:
PAUL
O’SHEA
ALED DAVIES
SCRUM HALF
DOB 19/07/1992
Kindly sponsored by:
THE CHARLES
FAMILY
BEN EARL
BACK ROW
DOB 07/01/1998
Kindly sponsored by:
HARRY HYMAN OF
NEXUS GROUP
OWEN FARRELL
FLY HALF
DOB 24/09/1991
Kindly sponsored by:
PATHLIGHT
ASSOCIATES
JAMIE GEORGE
HOOKER
DOB 20/10/1990
Kindly sponsored by:
DUNCAN
SINCLAIR
JUAN MARTIN GONZALEZ
BACK ROW
DOB -
Kindly sponsored by:
THE HASLAM
FAMILY
ALEX GOODE
FULLBACK
DOB 05/05/1988
Kindly sponsored by:
NEIL & ALISON
PEARSON
JOSH HALLETT
CENTRE
DOB 06/09/2000
Kindly sponsored by:
BILL
& ED

BEN HARRIS
WING
DOB 08/09/1999
Kindly sponsored by:
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
OLLY HARTLEY
CENTRE
DOB -
Kindly sponsored by:
THE GRIFFIN
FAMILY
OLIVER HOSKINS
PROP
DOB 06/03/1993
Kindly sponsored by:
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
CALLUM HUNTER-HILL
SECOND ROW
DOB 27/02/1997
Kindly sponsored by:
THE FAB
FEZZERS
NICK ISIEKWE
SECOND ROW
DOB 20/04/1998
Kindly sponsored by:
CAVENDISH
BROOKE
MARO ITOJE
LOCK/BACK ROW
DOB 28/10/1994
Kindly sponsored by:
THE GREEN
FAMILY
BRANDON JACKSON
CENTRE
DOB -
Kindly sponsored by:
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
CHRISTIAN JUDGE
PROP
DOB 08/01/1993
Kindly sponsored by:
PATHLIGHT
ASSOCIATES
TOBY KNIGHT
BACK ROW
DOB -
Kindly sponsored by:
MARCO
V. MASOTTI
54

55
5
CAPS
ALEX LEWINGTON
WING
DOB 20/09/1991
Kindly sponsored by:
SRM
SECURITY
ALEX LOZOWSKI
CENTRE
DOB 30/06/1993
Kindly sponsored by:
THE CARD
FAMILY
ERONI MAWI
PROP
DOB 02/06/1996
Kindly sponsored by:
THE MACKENZIE-BEDFORD
FAMILY WITH MARK CASTON
SEAN MAITLAND
WING
DOB 14/09/1988
Kindly sponsored by:
DUNCAN
SINCLAIR
THEO McFARLAND
BACK ROW
DOB 16/10/1995
Kindly sponsored by:
J O’SULLIVAN
GROUP LTD
DOM MORRIS
CENTRE
DOB 29/07/1997
Kindly sponsored by:
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
TOM PARTON
FULLBACK
DOB 02/02/1998
Kindly sponsored by:
ASYA AND AMELIA
STRUTINSKA
KAPELI PIFELETI
HOOKER
DOB -
Kindly sponsored by:
POPPY AND FELIX
SINCLAIR
MARCO RICCIONI
PROP
DOB 19/10/1997
Kindly sponsored by:
TONY
DE MEL

ROTIMI SEGUN
WING
DOB 28/12/1996
Kindly sponsored by:
THE DOMONEY
FAMILY
GARETH SIMPSON
SCRUM HALF
DOB 02/11/1997
Kindly sponsored by:
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
OLLIE STONHAM
BACK ROW
DOB 16/02/2001
Kindly sponsored by:
THE STEWART
FAMILY
HUGH TIZARD
SECOND ROW
DOB 31/03/2000
Kindly sponsored by:
SARACENS SUPPORTERS
ASSOCIATION
NICK TOMPKINS
CENTRE
DOB 16/02/1995
Kindly sponsored by:
THE DOMONEY
FAMILY
IVAN VAN ZYL
SCRUM HALF
DOB 30/06/1995
Kindly sponsored by:
THE DONNER
FAMILY
-
CAPS
-
CAPS
BILLY VUNIPOLA
BACK ROW
DOB 03/11/1992
Kindly sponsored by:
DUNCAN
SINCLAIR
MANU VUNIPOLA
FLY HALF
DOB 04/05/2000
Kindly sponsored by:
DUNCAN
SINCLAIR
MAKO VUNIPOLA
PROP
DOB 14/01/1991
Kindly sponsored by:
DUNCAN
SINCLAIR
56

57
TOM WEST
PROP
DOB 11/03/1996
Kindly sponsored by:
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
SARACENS
STAFF
2023/24
JOE SHAW
MEN’S HEAD COACH
MARK McCALL
MEN’S DIRECTOR OF RUGBY
PHIL MORROW
GENERAL MANAGER
RUGBY
DEPARTMENT
MARK MCCALL
PHIL MORROW
JOE SHAW
IAN PEEL
KEVIN SORRELL
DAN VICKERS
ADAM POWELL
JUAN FIGALLO
JAMES TIRRELL
WARRICK LANG
DAVID JONES
NICK KENNEDY
DANNY BARKER
FINELLA HINTON
SIMON MATTICK
MATTHEW WELLS
TOMMY FULLER
ANTONY LEE
LOUIS BODROZIC
JOEL DAVIS
ANDY DAWLING
KAT HOWSON
VIKKI REYLAND
TOM WILLIS
BACK ROW
DOB 18/01/1999
Kindly sponsored by:
THE CARD
FAMILY
IAN PEEL
MEN’S FORWARDS COACH
ADAM POWELL
MEN’S DEFENCE COACH
KEVIN SORRELL
MEN’S BACKS COACH
DAN VICKERS
KICKING COACH
MEDICAL
LAURA TULLOCH
JASON OLIVEIRA
AMY RUSSELL
JOEL TEIGER
RAJ SUBBU
JASMINE DRIVER
PETER RABIN
STRENGTH &
CONDITIONING
TOM SHERRIFF
BEN SPENCER
LIAM O’HARA
SAM GRIFFITHS
JAMES CLARK
FREDDIE VILLIERS
TOM WOOLSTENCROFT
HOOKER
DOB 18/09/1994
Kindly sponsored by:
THE DONNER
FAMILY
JUAN FIGALLO
MENS SCRUM COACH & SENIOR
ACADEMY TRANSITION COACH
JAMES TIRRELL
SENIOR ACADEMY TRANSITION COACH
ACADEMY
MIKE HYNARD
JACK PATTINSON
KEVIN BARRETT
SIMON WEBSTER
HENRY BIRCH
IAN GEORGE
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PIP RAINBOW

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59
THE ACADEMY 2023/24
SAMSON ADEJIMI
Kindly sponsored by:
NIGEL
EATON
CHARLIE BRACKEN
Kindly sponsored by:
THE DONNER
FAMILY
MAX EKE
Kindly sponsored by:
AVAILABLE
TO SPONSOR
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ASSOCIATES
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WOMEN’S
WRAP UP
AS STARTS TO
THE SEASON GO,
IT’S FAIR TO SAY
THAT SARACENS
WOMEN HAVE
LEAPT OUT OF THE
STARTING BLOCKS.
60
Two bonus point wins and
100 points scored see them
sit top of the table, heading
into this afternoon’s clash
with Harlequins Women.
It’s a far cry from last season
where, despite securing two
wins to start the campaign,
the side were guilty of
arguably stumbling out of the
blocks.
The matches against
Loughborough at home and
Trailfinders away showed
the strength in depth that
Saracens have at their
disposal this season, with
16 tries scored across both
matches.
Summer recruit Sophie de
Goede is leading the way
with three tries since her
comeback, but Zoe Harrison
has also produced two
starring displays. Having
come back from an ACL
injury, it looks very much like
the England fly-half has never
been away, with 19 points
already under her belt from
the first two rounds.
This weekend, Alex
Austerberry’s side face a first
real litmus test of their title
credentials, as old enemies
Harlequins play host to a
blockbuster clash at The
Stoop.
Quins are a wounded beast,
having come off the back of
a defeat to Sale Sharks last
weekend and they will need

61
to extra motivation when
coming up against their
oldest rivals.
With Rosie Galligan returning
to her old club for the first
time in Saracens colours too,
there’s set to be an additional
bit of spice to proceedings
come kick-off time.
Harlequins handed Saracens
their first defeat of the
campaign last season and,
with every point proving
crucial in a truncated
16-match season this time
around, there will be a real
hunger within the side to
secure the bragging rights, as
well as crucial points on the
road.
After this London Derby,
Saracens Women have a
bye-week, before returning
to action with another away
day to newly promoted
Leicester Tigers at Welford
Road. This will be an historic
clash, as two giants of the
men’s game meet for the
first time in the women’s
game. Tigers showed at home
against Exeter that they are
a tough side to beat at home,
so Saracens will need to
put their best foot forward,
before returning to the home
comforts of StoneX a week
later for The Christmas
Cracker against Bristol Bears
on 23 December.
That matchup is one that is
set to be a mouth-watering
clash, with Holly Aitchison
and Hannah Botterman
returning to North London for
the first time.
Tickets are on sale for this
festive feast from JUST £5,
with premium hospitality also
available. It really isn’t one to
miss!

WOMEN’S INTERVIEW
SOPHIE
BRIDGER
IT’S BEEN SOME START TO
LIFE IN NORTH LONDON
FOR SOPHIE BRIDGER. THE
SUMMER ARRIVAL FROM
GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY
HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
BEFORE SHE’D EVEN WORN
A SARACENS SHIRT, AS
SHE MADE HER ENGLAND
DEBUT AT STONEX
AGAINST CANADA BACK IN
SEPTEMBER.
62

63
After impressing during that
match and the WXV series,
she has returned and slipped
seamlessly into the 12 jersey
for Alex Austerberry’s side.
Reflecting on her time with
the Red Roses, the young
centre explained that she had
been constantly learning in
the environment.
“I think you have to remind
yourself every day that it’s
a privilege to be where I
am. I was super lucky to go
to WXV with England and
certainly wasn’t expecting it.
Being able to train alongside
the best was a brilliant
experience. I learnt so much
with England.”
Saracens may be a new
environment for Bridger, but
it’s one she has been relishing.
A promising centre pairing
with Sydney Gregson is
already beginning to flourish,
with Bridger showcasing her
ability as a provider against
Loughborough, before scoring
her first try for the club
against Trailfinders Women
last weekend.
“Coming into Sarries, it’s
a completely different
environment to what I’ve
been used to, but it’s
so good. I’ve really
enjoyed it so far
and it’s been
great to start
picking things
up from the
coaches we’ve
got here. It’s a
new perspective
on the game, but
I’ve really enjoyed
building within it.”
Trailfinders may
be a new derby
for Saracens this
season, but the rivalry with
Harlequins is one that has
been constant for many
years. Saturday afternoon
will be Bridger’s first
taste of the cauldron
that the match brings,
but she admits that
she is taking it all
in her stride.
“I’ve heard a few
things about
the game! Sarries
and Quins has
always been that
big London derby,
so I’m looking
forward to getting
involved with that
on the Sarries
side of things.
It’s a London derby. You
expect everything that comes
with that, but it’s something
we can use to motivate us
and push into the game with.”
Harlequins have won one
and lost one so far this
season, but Bridger is
not underestimating the
challenge come kick-off on
Saturday, as her side look to
test themselves against their
historic rivals.
“London derbies are always
exciting and easy to get
pumped up for. You want to
come out on top. It’s certainly
going to be a difficult game,
but it’s a game we’re going to
need and want because it’s
going to challenge us. We’ll
see what we’ve got and go
together into this one as a
solid group. They have quality
players, but so do we! They’ll
have to deal with the threats
we bring, and we’ll have to do
the same.”
What happens at
Twickenham Stoop this
afternoon remains to be seen,
but one thing is for certain;
that Bridger will no doubt be
at the heart of everything
good that Saracens put out
on the field.

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FIRST XV MEMBERS
2023/24
ALISON & NEIL PEARSON
KEN & SHEILA GOODING
GRAEME DAVIS
SIMON & KATE HASLAM
MARTIN & ANNE FLOWER
PETER HARVEY
TIM PETERS
MARK & SARAH VICKERS
DAVID & GAY DOMONEY
GRAHAM & ANGELA DRAKE
RICHARD & DEBORAH DONNER
NIGEL AND CINDY GOODMAN
66

PIONEERS
1) Tell us a bit about yourself
I am 63 years old and have
been married to my wife
Sian for over 40 years, we
have two children and three
granddaughters. I retired in
2020 after the original Covid
lockdown, having spent 22
years in the Royal Air Force
fixing medical equipment
and 20 years as a school
teacher, teaching Design and
Technology.
I currently undertake a
number of volunteering
roles including; an Honorary
Steward at Twickenham, an
Eyes On Hands On helper
for The Commonwealth War
Graves Commission and have
just stopped fostering dogs
from Woodgreen The Animal
Charity.
Loving outdoor life and
walking, we try to get away
in our caravan as often as
possible with our dog Honey,
and are frequent visitors to
The Lakes, North Yorkshire
and Derbyshire. I am an active
tenpin bowler playing twice
a week and a few years
ago represented England
Seniors (over 50s) in the
World Championships in
Las Vegas and the Triple
Crown in Jersey.
68
EVERY WEEK WE WILL
BE HIGHLIGHTING
ONE OF OUR AMAZING
PIONEERS WHO ADD
SO MUCH TO OUR
STONEX STADIUM
MATCHDAYS!
NEXT UP IT’S
IAN LEE…
2) When did you get involved
with the programme?
I heard about the Pioneer
programme from a
fellow Pioneer while I was
volunteering at the local
Covid vaccine centres
during the pandemic. We
spoke about the Pioneer
programme, it sounded
very interesting so I decided
to look into it more and
eventually applied in
December 2022, undertaking
my first full fixture as a
Pioneer in January 2023.
3) What do you do on
matchday?
During match days I am
normally undertaking the role
of team leader on the North
end of the 1876 Stand, but as
with any volunteering role I
am open for variety and can
sometimes be seen helping
out on the gates before
matches booking in the rugby
festivals, before returning to
my usual position in the West
stand during the match.
4) What makes the Pioneer
Programme special for you?
During the pandemic I
realised how important
volunteering was for your
self esteem, confidence
and well being. The Pioneer
Programme has enabled
me to volunteer in an
environment where I am
made to feel welcome,
surrounded by like minded
people who are trying to help
people, and being involved
with an iconic rugby team
like Saracens makes it very
exciting.
5) What are your best two
memories?
Having only been involved
for five months, All pioneers
were invited to attend the
end of 2022/2023 season
celebration meal a week or
so prior to the Premiership
Final at Twickenham May
2023. A number of players
were also present, I was lucky
to be on the same table as
Hugh Tizard (who played in
the final) and Olly Hartley. It
was great to talk with both
players while enjoying some
good food.
The other highlight worthy
of a mention is the Pioneers
relationship with Saracens
Rugby family, including
players from both male and
female teams, non playing
staff, supporters and fellow
Pioneer’s, everyone smiles
and says hello, it is a great
atmosphere.

“Excellent”
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and small businesses
We’re proud to sponsor Premiership Rugby for the second year running, so we
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MAVERICKS
70
WITH A NEW
SEASON ON
THE HORIZON,
SARACENS
MAVERICKS
ARE READYING
THEMSELVES
FOR A TILT AT
THE TOP FOUR.
After several seasons of
finishing in fifth position, this
year, the group feels like one
that can really make the next
step on the court. Attacking
star Kira Rothwell was one of
the standout performers last
season, and the young
star believes that
her side are ready to
make the next step
this campaign.
“I think a lot is said
at the beginning of
the season about
it being your year
and being excited
to get going, but
I truly believe
that this year.
We’ve recruited
really well and
have some amazing
international players
coming in. I can’t
wait for people to
see them out on
court. We’ve been working on
the culture in the group, and
we can’t wait to get going.”
In a season that is sure to
have plenty of standout
moments, The Headliner at
OVO Arena Wembley is set to
be one of the biggest. For
Rothwell, she can’t wait
to step out in an arena
for a standalone
Mavericks fixture
for the first time.
“It’s incredible.
If I think back
to some of my
favourite games
I’ve played so
far, I always look
at those arena
fixtures. To have
a home fixture
in an arena is
amazing. It gives
me something to
tell young kids about

71
and get them along too. For
us to now have a fixed game
that’s going to be a massive
event is special.”
With the retirement of Sasha
Corbin, it’s all-change on the
leadership front for Mavericks
this season, with Jodie Gibson
and Georgia Lees being
named as captain and vicecaptain
respectively. Rothwell
believes that the pair are the
perfect duo to lead the side
into the new era.
“We weren’t sure who
would step into Sasha’s role
but when we heard it was
Jodie and Georgia, it made
perfect sense. They really
compliment each other. Jodie
has so much knowledge and
Georgia is really there for
us all as a group. They both
really have our best interests
at heart.”
Plenty of international talent
has joined the side over the
summer, leaving Head Coach
Camilla Buchanan with plenty
of options at both ends of
the court. Rothwell admitted
that the focus for her side
this season was to be more
accurate, as they look to take
the next step and reach the
semi-finals.
“We want to build our new
players into the group. It’s
a really exciting team and
there are lots of different
combinations we can have
out on court. It’s going to be
about pushing each other to
be the best team we can this
season. We always play with
high energy and speed. This
season, we want to be more
accurate and score goals at a
quicker rate. We’ve got such
an athletic squad, so we really
want to connect the defence
and the attack.”

First, I asked Farhiya about
her pre sixth form years at
Saracens High School:
‘Year 7-11 was a really fun
time for me. I found my
lifelong friends and my best
friends.’
I remember Farhiya going to
lots of different enrichment
activities and clubs and that
really helped her find those
friendships and memories she
cherishes so much.
HIGH SCHOOL
FARHIYA IS AN A LEVEL STUDENT IN THE NEWLY
OPENED SARACENS SIXTH FORM. SHE’S ALSO MY
GOOD FRIEND. FAHRHIYA MET WITH ME TO SHARE HER
EXPERIENCE OF LIFE IN THE SIXTH FORM.
Supportive teachers was
something else Farhiya
was eager to highlight. She
gave special mention to her
English and History teachers
who helped her reach her full
potential at GCSE.
Farhiya recounts the
emotions of GCSE results
day in August:
72
‘I won’t lie to you, I was so
scared, I don’t think I slept
that night!’
THE SUBJECTS YOU
ENJOY THE MOST ARE
THOSE YOU WILL EXCEL
IN. SARACENS SIXTH
FORM CAN, AND WILL,
MAKE SURE OF IT!
However, despite the
fears and doubts, she was
confident in herself and
the immense discipline
her teachers and herself
displayed leading up to the
exams. Her main focus on the
day was to see all her hard
work pay off.
Farhiya didn’t need to be
scared; she received ten
GCSEs at grade 8 and 9
(equivalent of A* and A**)! It’s
no surprise that she decided

73
SHE ALSO VOLUNTEERS IN CLASSES LOWER DOWN
THE SCHOOL AND IS INVOLVED IN MENTORING. I CAN’T
IMAGINE A BETTER MENTOR FOR YOUNGER PUPILS!
to push herself to take four
A Levels rather than the
standard three.
My clever friend explained
why she chose particular
subjects. Biology and
Chemistry appealed to her
desire to understand ‘the
intricacies of life,’ while she
finds it comforting that
Maths always provides ‘one
answer.’
History, quite distinct to
her other subjects, is her
attempt at balancing
them, providing her with a
holistic understanding of
life, developing her critical
thinking and increasing her
employability.
Farhiya is honest about
finding the workload
‘incredibly hard’. However, she
is grateful to the sixth form
team, including the academic
mentor, for helping her to
develop organisation and
study skills.
I asked Farhiya what it’s
like being a sixth former in
Saracens Sixth Form:
‘There’s a lot of freedom
and a lot of trust. I’m now
responsible for my own
learning.’
However, it’s not just her
own learning that my
conscientious friend is
concerned with. She also
volunteers in classes lower
down the school and is
involved in mentoring. I can’t
imagine a better mentor for
younger pupils!
To Year 11s unsure of which A
Levels to choose, Farhiya has
some sensible advice:
‘The subjects you enjoy the
most are those you will excel
in. Saracens Sixth Form can,
and will, make sure of it!’
Farhiya is a wonderful friend
and I wish her all the best
in her A Level studies and in
the future she’s planning to
pursue in Finance or Medicine.
Whatever she does I know
she’ll smash it!
By Julia, sixth form student
WHICH PATHWAY
WILL YOU CHOOSE?
ACADEMIC PATHWAY: A LEVELS
20+ subjects
TECHNICAL PATHWAY: T LEVELS
Digital Production, Design & Development
Health
Business & Administration
VOCATIONAL PATHWAY: PRE-APPRENTICESHIP
Bespoke industry placements plus in-school skills development
FOR MORE INFO VISIT:
SARACENSHIGH.ORG/SIXTH-FORM/

match
mascots
FINN
BUNYARD
CLUB:
AMERSHAM &
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AGE:
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FAVOURITE PLAYER:
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AGE:
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FAVOURITE PLAYER:
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CLUB:
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AGE:
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FAVOURITE PLAYER:
BEN EARL
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AGE:
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FAVOURITE
PLAYER(S):
MARLIE PACKER &
OWEN FARRELL
74

THANK YOU
TO TODAY’S MATCHDAY SPONSOR
75
THE CLUB
WOULD LIKE TO
THANK TODAY’S
MATCHDAY
SPONSOR,
ORIGAMI RISK,
FOR THEIR
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AFTERNOON
AT STONEX
STADIUM.
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Photo from The Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final 2023
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77
COMMUNITY
NEWS
Today we hold our leg of the
Premiership Defender Cup
with 32 clubs represented
across U11s and U12s
competing for tickets to
Twickenham at the end of the
season for the Premiership
final where hopefully
Saracens will be retaining
the Premiership Trophy. Good
luck to you all, and remember
that the winners are decided
on The RFU Core Values
of Teamwork/Respect/
Enjoyment/Discipline/
Sportsmanship.
Christmas, and then back
at StoneX Stadium for both
a Kicking Clinic and a Skills
Camp on the 29thDecember
and then the 2nd/3rd January
respectively, before we
finish up at Beechwood Park
School on the 4th and 5th
January. Its sure to be a fun
packed Christmas period,
don’t forget to get booked
on at https://saracens.com/
community/junior-rugbycamps/
- Scan the QR code
for more information:
In the last weeks our
Christmas camps have
gone on sale, with us
visiting Dartford Valley RFC
and Westcliff RFC before
We are also now sold out
Train With The Pros evening
on the 19th December where
a host of our professional
players will be descending
on StoneX Stadium for
the evening to pass their
knowledge on to the future
stars. With 200 children in
attendance, this is sure to be
our biggest Train With The
Pros Event yet, there will be
the chance to not only learn
from the best but also to
have pictures with them and
get their autographs.
We also want to welcome
some of our Festival Teams
who today form our Guard of
Honour as well as Warwick
School who will be part of the
Big Shirt waving pre-game to
welcome the teams onto the
pitch!

COMING NEXT . . .
IT HAS BEEN BRANDED ‘THE CHRISTMAS CRACKER’ AND THE CLASH
BETWEEN SARACENS WOMEN AND BRISTOL BEARS ON SATURDAY, 23
DECEMBER IS BUILDING UP TO BE JUST THAT. ALEX AUSTERBERRY’S
SIDE MADE IT TWO FROM TWO LAST WEEKEND WITH A 52-18 WIN AT
TRAILFINDERS WOMEN TO REMAIN AMONG THE EARLY LEADERS, WHILE
THE BEARS, LAST SEASON’S SEMI-FINALISTS, WENT DOWN IN EXETER.
With a 12.30pm kick-off at the StoneX
Stadium, the game will provide families
and friends with the perfect way to
kick-off the Festive weekend – and get
away from that last minute shopping
that always ends in overspending and
gifts that end up in drawers after
Christmas. Come and support the
women instead!
The final month of the year sees
Saracens men return to European
action in the newly branded Investec
Champions Cup. It will be the first time
Mark McCall’s men have met South
African opposition, with the opening
game being in Pretoria against the
Vodacom Bulls at the iconic Loftus
Versfeld stadium on 9 December.
The second Round clash in Pool A will be
at StoneX against high-flying Connacht
on 16 December (1.00pm kick-off).
Tickets are available now and Connacht
are currently in seventh place in the
United Rugby Championship.
And don’t forget, if you are seeking
inspiration on the Christmas present
front, then why not book a trip for a
spectacular day out at the StoneX
Stadium for the Gallagher Premiership
clash against Newcastle Falcons on
Sunday, 30 December.
That will be the final game of the year
for the ‘Men in Black’, and they want
to go out with a bang! Come and join
in the Festive Fun.
78

UPCOMING
FIXTURES AT
STONEX
STADIUM
79
Saturday, 16 December
Saracens v Connacht
Investec Champions Cup (1.00pm)
Saturday, 23 December
Saracens Women v
Bristol Bears
Alianz PWR (12.30pm)
Saturday, 30 December
Saracens v Newcastle Falcons
Gallagher Premiership (3.00pm)

For all the latest
fixtures and results
information scan
this QR code:
For all the latest
videos and match
highlights scan
this QR code:
FIXTURES AND RESULTS 2023/24
L 28-14
SAT 9 SEP [4,109]
ELLIOTT, HARRIS (2T), MOORE
(JACKSON), HARTLEY, SEGUN,
M.VUNIPOLA (2C), SIMPSON (DAVIES),
WEST (CREAN), PIFELETI (ADEJIMI),
JUDGE (BEATON), HUNTER-HILL,
WARDELL (ISIEKWE), MICHELOW
(WILLIS), KNIGHT, STONHAM
L 20-29
SAT 16 SEP [2,923]
PARTON (GOODE), HARRIS (SEGUN),
LOZOWSKI, HARTLEY, LEWINGTON ,
M.VUNIPOLA (2P, 2C), DAVIES (VAN ZYL),
CREAN (WARREN), WOOLSTENCROFT
(PIFELETI), HOSKINS (JUDGE), HUNTER-
HILL, ISIEKWE (1T), MICHELOW , KNIGHT
(ADEJIMI), WILLIS (1T, WARDELL)
W 73-29
SAT 23 SEP [2,895]
PARTON, SEGUN (1T, ELLIOTT), LOZOWSKI,
HARTLEY (1T), LEWINGTON (1T),
M.VUNIPOLA (8C), VAN ZYL (2T, SIMPSON),
WEST (CREAN), WOOLSTENCROFT (1T,
ADEJIMI, 1T), HOSKINS (BEATON), HUNTER-
HILL, TIZARD (STONHAM, 1T), ISIEKWE
(EKE), KNIGHT (2T), WILLIS (MICHELOW)
L 36-29
SUN 1 OCT [7,735]
PARTON, SEGUN, LOZOWSKI (1T), HARTLEY
(ELLIOTT, 1T), LEWINGTON (MOORE),
M.VUNIPOLA (1P, 3C), DAVIES (SIMPSON,
1T), WEST (CREAN), WOOLSTENCROFT
(ADEJIMI), HOSKINS (JUDGE), HUNTER-
HILL, ISIEKWE , STONHAM (MICHELOW),
KNIGHT (1T) , WILLIS
W 68-10
SAT 7 OCT [2,146]
PARTON (1T), MOORE, LOZOWSKI (5C),
HARTLEY (1T), SEGUN (2T), GOODE,
DAVIES (1T, SIMPSON, 3C), CREAN,
ADEJIMI (2T, HADFIELD), HOSKINS
(CLAREY), HUNTER-HILL, ISIEKWE
(PEARCE-PAUL), MICHELOW, KNIGHT
(2T), WILLIS (STONHAM, 1T)
L 65-10
SAT 14 OCT [9,371]
PARTON (M.VUNIPOLA), SEGUN,
LOZOWSKI, HARTLEY (1T), LEWINGTON
(MAITLAND, 1T), GOODE, DAVIES
(BRACKEN), WEST (ADAMS-HALE),
ADEJIMI (HADFIELD), RICCIONI (CLAREY),
HUNTER-HILL (STONHAM), ISIEKWE,
MCFARLAND, KNIGHT (CHRISTIE), WILLIS
L 16-25
SAT 21 OCT [6,060]
GOODE, MAITLAND, LOZOWSKI (3P,
1C) (HARTLEY), TOMPKINS, SEGUN
(LEWINGTON), M.VUNIPOLA, DAVIES
(SIMPSON), M.VUNIPOLA (WEST),
HADFIELD (ADEJIMI), RICCIONI (CLAREY),
HUNTER-HILL (KNIGHT), ISIEKWE,
MCFARLAND, CHRISTIE (1T) , WILLIS
W 3-24
FRI 27 OCT [10,541]
GOODE, MAITLAND, LOZOWSKI (1P, 2C),
TOMPKINS (HARTLEY), LEWINGTON (1T)
(PARTON), M.VUNIPOLA, DAVIES (VAN
ZYL), M.VUNIPOLA (MAWI), HADFIELD
(CREAN), JUDGE (CLAREY), HUNTER-HILL,
TIZARD (STONHAM), ISIEKWE (KNIGHT),
CHRISTIE, WILLIS (2T)
W 32-17
SAT 4 NOV [9,261]
GOODE (PARTON), MAITLAND, LOZOWSKI,
TOMPKINS, DALY, FARRELL (2P, 3C),
DAVIES (VAN ZYL), M.VUNIPOLA
(MAWI), GEORGE (1T) (DAN), RICCIONI
(CLAREY), ITOJE (1T)) (HUNTER-HILL),
ISIEKWE, CHRISTIE (1T)) (TIZARD), EARL,
B.VUNIPOLA (1T)(WILLIS)
W 12-50
SUN 12 NOV [6,124]
DALY (1T), MAITLAND (CINTI), LOZOWSKI
(1P, 4C) (M.VUNIPOLA, 1T) , TOMPKINS,
LEWINGTON (1T), GOODE (2C), VAN ZYL
(SIMPSON), MAWI (WEST), DAN (2T)
(HADFIELD), CLAREY (JUDGE), STONHAM
, TIZARD (B.VUNIPOLA), GONZALEZ (1T),
CHRISTIE , WILLIS (1T) (KNIGHT)
W 10-38
SAT 18 NOV [14,800]
GOODE (HARRIS), LEWINGTON (1T),
LOZOWSKI (HARTLEY, 1T), TOMPKINS,
PARTON (1T), FARRELL (4C), VAN ZYL
(DAVIES), M.VUNIPOLA (MAWI), GEORGE
(1T) (DAN), RICCIONI (CLAREY), ITOJE,
TIZARD (WILLIS), GONZALEZ (1T),
CHRISTIE (1T)(STONHAM), B.VUNIPOLA
W 39-31
SAT 25 NOV [9,455]
GOODE, LEWINGTON (2T), DALY,
TOMPKINS (HARTLEY), PARTON
(MAITLAND), FARRELL (1T, 2C), DAVIES
(SIMPSON), M.VUNIPOLA (MAWI),
GEORGE (2T) (PIFELETI), JUDGE (CLAREY),
ITOJE, TIZARD (MCFARLAND), WILLIS (1T)
(KNIGHT), CHRISTIE , B.VUNIPOLA (1T)
80

81
STONEX STADIUM
SAT 2 DEC
KO 16H30
SARACENS
VS
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
LOFTUS VERSFELD
STADIUM
SAT 9 DEC
KO 19H30
VODACOM BULLS
VS
SARACENS
STONEX STADIUM
SAT 16 DEC
KO 13H00
SARACENS
VS
CONNACHT RUGBY
AJ BELL STADIUM
FRI 22 DEC
KO 19H45
SALE SHARKS
VS
SARACENS
STONEX STADIUM
SAT 30 DEC
KO 15H00
SARACENS
VS
NEWCASTLE FALCONS
MATTIOLI WOODS
WELFORD ROAD
SAT 6 JAN
KO 15H05
LEICESTER TIGERS
VS
SARACENS
STADE
CHABAN-DELMAS
SUN 14 JAN
KO 18H30
BORDEAUX-BEGLES
VS
SARACENS
STONEX STADIUM
SAT 20 JAN
KO 20H00
SARACENS
VS
LYON
STONEX STADIUM
SAT 27 JAN
Kick-Off TBC
SARACENS
VS
EXETER CHIEFS
STONEX STADIUM
FRI 23 FEB
KO 17H30
SARACENS
VS
LEINSTER
FRIENDLY
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
STADIUM
SAT 23 MAR
KO 15H05
The Showdown 4
SARACENS
VS
HARLEQUINS
FRANKLIN’S GARDENS
SAT 30 MAR
Kick-Off TBC
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
VS
SARACENS
STONEX STADIUM
SAT 20 APR
KO 00H00
RECREATION GROUND
SAT 27 APR
Kick-Off TBC
ASHTON GATE
SAT 11 MAY
Kick-Off TBC
STONEX STADIUM
SAT 18 MAY
Kick-Off TBC
SARACENS
VS
GLOUCESTER RUGBY
BATH RUGBY
VS
SARACENS
BRISTOL BEARS
VS
SARACENS
SARACENS
VS
SALE SHARKS

Matchday
SQUADS
Alex GOODE
Sean MAITLAND
Lucio CINTI
Nick TOMPKINS
Tom PARTON
Owen FARRELL [C]
Ivan VAN ZYL
T
P
C
DG
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
FULL BACK
RIGHT WING
OUTSIDE CENTRE
INSIDE CENTRE
LEFT WING
FLY HALF
SCRUM HALF
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
T
P
C
DG
George HENDY
Ollie SLEIGHTHOLME
Tommy FREEMAN
Fraser DINGWALL
James RAMM
George FURBANK
Alex MITCHELL
Tom WEST
Theo DAN
Alec CLAREY
Maro ITOJE
Theo McFARLAND
Juan Martin GONZALEZ
Andy CHRISTIE
Billy VUNIPOLA
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
LOOSE HEAD PROP
HOOKER
TIGHT HEAD PROP
SECOND ROW
SECOND ROW
BLINDSIDE FLANKER
OPENSIDE FLANKER
NUMBER 8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Ethan WALLER
Sam MATAVESI
Trevor DAVISON
Chunya MUNGA
Alex COLES
Courtney LAWES
Tom PEARSON
Lewis LUDLAM [C]
Jamie GEORGE
Mako VUNIPOLA
Christian JUDGE
Hugh TIZARD
Toby KNIGHT
Aled DAVIES
Olly HARTLEY
Alex LEWINGTON
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
REPLACEMENT
REPLACEMENT
REPLACEMENT
REPLACEMENT
REPLACEMENT
REPLACEMENT
REPLACEMENT
REPLACEMENT
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Tom CRUSE
Alex WALLER
Elliot Millar MILLS
Tom LOCKETT
Angus SCOTT-YOUNG
Tom JAMES
Charlie SAVALA
Tom LITCHFIELD
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Christophe Ridley
Assistant Referees: Andrew Jackson & Greg Macdonald
Fourth Official: Calum Howard
Television Match Official: Rowan Kitt
82

83
how it stands
premiership rugby table
P Team PL W D L F A SD B Pts
1 Sale Sharks 7 6 0 1 146 129 17 0 27
2 Saracens 7 5 0 2 209 163 46 0 24
3 Exeter Chiefs 7 5 0 2 215 124 91 0 23
4 Bath Rugby 7 4 0 3 175 148 27 0 22
5 Harlequins 7 4 0 3 185 175 10 0 21
6 Northampton Saints 7 4 0 3 169 163 6 0 21
7 Leicester Tigers 7 3 0 4 162 171 -9 0 15
8 Bristol Bears 7 2 0 5 162 179 -17 0 12
9 Gloucester 7 2 0 5 131 198 -67 0 11
10 Newcastle Falcons 7 0 0 7 114 218 -104 0 4
AROUND THE
GROUNDS
Fri 01 Dec
Twickenham Stoop
HARLEQUINS 19:45 SALE SHARKS
Sat 02 Dec
Ashton Gate
BRISTOL BEARS 14:00 GLOUCESTER RUGBY
Sat 02 Dec
The Rec
BATH RUGBY 15:00 EXETER CHIEFS
Sat 02 Dec
StoneX Stadium
SARACENS 16:30 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Sun 03 Dec
Mattioli Woods Welford Road
LEICESTER TIGERS 15:00 NEWCASTLE FALCONS

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SARACENS VS NORTHAMPTON SAINTS | ISSUE 04 | GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP