Saracens chief executive Edward Griffiths has spoken out over recent media speculation surrounding the club © Getty Images

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Saracens chief executive Edward Griffiths has slammed the recent media attention focused on the apparent "South African revolution" at the club, maintaining that the club will remain "emphatically English in spirit".

Sarries have been the focus of intense media scrutiny since stories emerged of 15 first-team players being released from contracts, including former All Black lock Chris Jack, and heavy new investment from the club's South African benefactors. Current Stormers defence coach Brendan Venter is set to take over the coaching reins next season, with Eddie Jones leaving his position as director of rugby early after increasing tension at the club.

Griffiths has maintained that the club will stay true to its origins and that it will remain focused on producing English talent, while playing their home games at Watford's Vicarage Road ground.

"There is no revolution unfolding at Saracens," he said. "There is an evolution from the mid-table team of recent years into one of the leading clubs in Europe. Much has been said and written about the club in the past six weeks, and most of it has been wildly inaccurate and untrue. There has been no boardroom takeover. There will be no mass influx of South Africans.

"The club will shortly announce 10 new signings for next season - some English, some Italian and some South African. Saracens is and will remain emphatically English in spirit and character, and will continue to identify and produce excellent young players such as Alex Goode, Noah Cato, Andy Saull and Tom Mercey and strive to deliver them into the England side. There will be no change in name and no change in playing kit, and the club remains committed to playing home matches at Vicarage Road, Watford."

One of the key points raised in recent weeks has been the club's apparent desire to tap in to the large South African expatriate community in London, something that Griffiths does not deny.

"The club is planning to enhance its profile by playing two matches at Wembley Stadium next season, aiming to attract the world's largest ever crowd at a club rugby match," he said. "The recent investment from South Africa has strengthened the club in many respects, and we will eagerly seize opportunities to expand our supporter base into the large expatriate South African community in London and south-east England. This proud English rugby club is indeed changing, for the better, on and off the field, but this is a carefully managed evolution, not any kind of revolution."