Aviva Premiership
Saracens launch nationwide search for new players
ESPN Staff
March 18, 2015
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Saracens have launched a nationwide search for new players which will include trials in Bristol, Coventry and Durham.

Labelling it the S-Factor, Saracens will journey to Bristol on March 29, Durham on April 12 and April 19 with the carrot of potentially winning a professional contract with Saracens.

The call out says: "Just been released from a Premiership club academy? Coaches didn't see your potential? Feel like you just slipped through the net? Maybe you're excelling at rugby league, wrestling, basketball or water polo? If you're 18 or older, not currently contracted to a Premiership club, and believe you have the S Factor required to play for Saracens, this is your chanceā€¦

"Saracens presents the S Factor: three open trials at different locations around the country, where anybody can win a professional contract to play for Saracens."

The move sees Saracens attempt to recruit players from outside their catchment area of Hertfordshire, Essex and Kent. For Gloucester CEO Stephen Vaughan, he is not overly concerned by Saracens looking to spread their recruitment net and says he is comfortable their academy set-up is good enough to have an accurate assessment of any promising talent on their doorstep.

"I've been aware of it for a while, they're not doing anything illegal but it's very Saracens and there's a market where they're suggesting certain players are getting missed by academies," Vaughan told the Gloucester Citizen. "They are going to some rugby strongholds - Bristol, Durham and Coventry - but we have no issue with it.

"They have the time, money and inclination to do that and fair play to them, it's a innovative thing to do but the proof will be in the pudding."

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