Saracens

20 Jul 2010 - 10:55

Bedford Blues and Saracens have confirmed that seven English Academy players will be joining the Goldington Road club on dual registration for the coming 2010/11 Championship season.

The Blues will be welcoming back the likes of James Short, Owen Farrell, Jake Sharp, George Kruis and Will Fraser, while also welcoming promising youngsters Luke Baldwin and Jackson Wray.

Baldwin is a highly rated 19 year old scrum half who will provide plenty of competition for the number nine shirt. Number Eight Wray, also 19, recently featured in the Junior World Cup and has already featured in the Saracens first team in the EDF Energy Cup against the Scarlets in 2008.

Second row forward Kruis made two appearances in England’s U20 RBS 6 Nations campaign and also featured in the recent World Championships off the back of an outstanding season for Saracens Storm in the Premiership A League.

Farrell, 18, who can play in the centre or at fly half, made a debut for the Blues in the British and Irish Cup against London Welsh last season coming off the bench and converting a penalty. Also debuting in the same game was pacey winger Short who showed an explosive turn off pace that cut the Exiles defence to shreds.

Fly half Sharp, 19, is another player who played for the Blues last season and he will provide competition for Myles Dorrian at 10 while 6ft 2ins tall Fraser offers even more fire power in the back row.

Blues director of rugby Mike Rayer said: "We are delighted to welcome back a number of Saracens’ youngsters who we know very well, as well as a couple of potentially exciting players who will all play an important role in the Championship season.

"Our relationship with Saracens has developed very well and dual registration offers us and them the chance to help develop promising young English players. All these players know full well that they have to cement a starting place in the Blues team before they can push for a place in the Saracens side.

"There is no doubt that these guys are talented players, we hope they can go on and reach their full potential. These signings will certainly raise the bar amongst the squad we have already put together.”

Brendan Venter, Saracens Director of Rugby, said: “We are eager for our outstanding young players to play as much rugby as possible, and we are delighted to have secured an excellent partner in Bedford. Our Academy is rightly admired around the country, and we believe this arrangement will work well for both clubs.”