Saracens are bracing themselves for a mass exodus that will see some of rugby’s brightest talent heading out of the door.
The European champions will be relegated from the Premiership this season after being hit with automatic relegation last Saturday for breaking the salary cap rules.
But as they prepare for life in the Championship next season, they also face losing the talent who dream of playing international rugby.
The next generation – that includes the likes of flanker Ben Earl, who has just been called up by England – know that they will only be seen if they play in the top flight.
Ben Spencer, the scrum-half who was a late replacement for England during the World Cup, is another player who could be out of the door with Bath in talks to take him on. And Matt Gallagher, the promising full-back, has agreed to sign for Munster with one eye on qualifying for Ireland, while centre Nick Tompkins could jump ship to a Welsh region after being scouted by Wales.
Uncapped flanker Earl, 22, went on England’s tour to South Africa in 2018, but is one of the brightest prospects in the Premiership and clubs are falling over themselves to get him on their books.
But also likely to be following them out of Allianz Park is Alex Lozowski. It’s understood the centre has been in talks with Gloucester in a bid to get more game time and back into Eddie Jones’ good books.
The versatile back won the last of his five England caps against Japan in November 2018. The 26 year old is on duty for Sarries today as they face Harlequins, who reportedly dobbed them in to the salary cap police.
Saracens’ relegation was confirmed last Saturday – they have already had to hand over £5million in fines – and they are aiming to get under the £7m cap if, and when, they return to the top flight.
In midweek Saracens confirmed they were hopeful of keeping hold of England regulars Owen Farrell and Jamie George – even though they face a year in the wilderness of the Championship.
Jones, and British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland, have indicated they are willing to pick Saracens’ big dogs for Test duty because they have nothing to prove.
Others on the market include scrum-half Ben Spencer, flanker/lock Nick Isiekwe and back rower Ben Earl. Veteran Richard Wigglesworth and captain Brad Barritt are out of contract at the end of this season but may move into roles upstairs.
Saracens have been inundated with calls from Premiership clubs trying to get players on board for next season. Interim CEO Ed Griffiths said: “This is obviously a terrible situation for any club to find itself in.”
