Breaking News... Farrell in contention for Newcastle clash... |
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Andy Farrell came through 65 minutes of Guinness A-League action on Monday night and Director of Rugby Alan Gaffney revealed that he could well make his full debut against Newcastle Falcons at Vicarage Road on Sunday - kick off 3pm. After seeing Farrell make a try-scoring debut for the Men In Black, Gaffney said that he'd played himself into contention to be a part of the 22 for Sunday's match. "We're absolutely delighted with Andy and how he came through the game," he explained. "I thought he read the game particularly well and I was pretty happy with what he did. As a result he's put himself into contention to be in the squad for Sunday's game and is definitely challenging for a place on the bench." Farrell crossed the line midway through the first half after exchanging passes with Matt Cairns on the wing in a game which saw the Men In Black lose 30-12. Of course, it was his first game in rugby union since his cross code switch after a frustrating year of injuries last season and it also saw him get stuck in to the scrum in his new position of blind side flanker. "He's an enormously talented player and I thought he did very well in the contact areas, his body position was good, but he also didn't over commit himself to the breakdown and took up some clever positions," added Gaffney. "He's also a natural leader and people look to him on the rugby field. That's just the character he is. And to be as domineering as that in his first game was fantastic. Following his comeback on Monday night and his possible inclusion against Newcastle Falcons on Sunday, we are running a daily diary with Andy Farrell about training, his thoughts, getting back into action and much more. The link below is the first installment. http://www.saracens.com/news/article.php?id=2928 <http://www.saracens.com/news/article.php?id=2928> Saracens sign De Kock... Saracens have completed the signing of scrum half Neil de Kock from Western Province and the South African international will join up with his new club next week. The 28-year-old talented scrum half is gifted with accurate passing and excellent decision making, skills that have earned him 10 caps for the Springboks since his debut against Italy in 2001. He made his provincial debut in 2000 for Western Province vs Free State and a Super 12 debut followed a year later for the The Stormers against the Waratahs and he has been a regular in both side ever since. Saracens Director of Rugby Alan Gaffney is delighted to have signed the international. He said: "We're delighted to have signed Neil. He's a player we have been interested in for some time and he will be joining up with the squad next Wednesday. He's a very talented ball player and he's probably been unlucky not to have won more caps with South Africa in recent seasons. He's got a very good pass, is good from the base of the scrum and plays with a lot of direction. "We're delighted to have him as part of the squad and along with Alan Dickens and Moses Rauluni who have both performed well in recent weeks, we will have strength in depth in the scrum half position." Neil de Kock fact file Position: Scrum half Height: 5ft 9ins (1.77m) Weight: 12st 10lb (81kg) Date of Birth: 20/11/78 Provincial Caps: 50 (Western Province) Provincials Debut: 2000 vs Free State Super 14 Caps: 42 (The Stormers) Super 14 debut: 2001 vs Waratahs Honours: South Africa (10 caps) International debut: 2001 vs Italy |
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