GREGSON LOVING LIFE AT SARACENS

Sydney Gregson is settling into life at Saracens after a whirlwind start last month.

The 22-year-old returned home from a three-month stint playing in Australia and just a couple of days later was included in the squad to face her old club, Bristol Bears, coming off the bench in the second half.

Jet-lag aside, it was also the first time she had played 15s format in six months, having focused on sevens since finishing sixth with Bristol in the Tyrrells Premier 15s in March.

“I’ve always played a 15s season then a sevens season, and it always takes a bit of adjusting, but it’s a bit different this time because my sevens season was so long being in Australia all summer,” said Gregson.

“But because here at Saracens we play a fast-paced and wide style of rugby, the adjustment hasn’t been as tricky as it might have been.

“I just love the way the team plays. It’s one of the reasons I chose the club because I love the style of play here. I’m really enjoying it. The intensity is great at training and around games.”

Gregson, who has three England caps to her name, then started against Loughborough Lightning three weeks later after the break in the league for the autumn internationals, helped Saracens to a 29-0 victory.

“It helps that I knew quite a few of the girls already,” said continued. “I play Nomads with people like Kat (Evans), Nina (Vistisen) and (Rebecca) Bushell, and I’ve played in the past with Lotte (Clapp) and Zoe Harrison. It does make it easier when you move to a new club.

“I used to train with Saracens when I was younger and it’s the closest club to home, so it was always in the back of my head to come here after university.

“When I found out Alex (Austerberry) was taking over as coach it helped make the decision because I worked with him when I was younger and really like his coaching style.

“Australia was amazing but I’m loving being back in English rugby.”

Saracens Women thrashed Worcester Valkyries 63-0 last Saturday to remain top of the table. The Women in Black scored 11 tries, including a hat-trick from Georgie Lingham, and made it two weeks in a row without conceding a point.